Argentina captain Lionel Messi will begin Saturday night's FIFA World Cup Group J clash against Jordan on the bench, with head coach Lionel Scaloni confirming the veteran forward is being rested ahead of the knockout rounds.

Speaking on Friday, two days after Messi celebrated his 39th birthday, Scaloni revealed that the record-breaking forward would not be in the starting XI but assured supporters that they are still likely to see him on the pitch.

"He will come in a little bit later," Scaloni said through an interpreter, without revealing when the substitution would take place or outlining the rest of his starting line-up.

Argentina prioritise knockout stage

Already assured of top spot in Group J and progression to the last 32, defending champions Argentina have little riding on the outcome against Jordan, who are making their World Cup debut and have already been eliminated after losing both of their opening fixtures.

The decision to rest Messi comes with the bigger picture in mind. Argentina's knockout campaign begins next Friday in South Florida, and if La Albiceleste reach the final on 19 July, they could face five matches across just 17 days in the expanded 48-team tournament.

Messi arrives in red-hot form

Messi has been the standout performer of Argentina's group-stage campaign, scoring all five of the team's goals across their opening two matches.

The forward entered the tournament with 13 World Cup goals but has now taken his tally to 18 across six editions of the competition, making him the outright highest scorer in World Cup history.

His first-ever World Cup hat-trick came in Argentina's 3-0 victory over Algeria, allowing him to equal Miroslav Klose's long-standing record of 16 goals. Messi then surpassed the former Germany striker with two more goals in Monday's 2-0 win over Austria, played at the home of the NFL's Dallas Cowboys, the same venue hosting Saturday's group finale.

Record-breaking tournament

Klose accumulated his previous record across 24 World Cup appearances and ended his international career by helping Germany defeat Argentina 1-0 after extra time in the 2014 World Cup final.

France striker Kylian Mbappe briefly drew level with Klose's mark after scoring twice in a 3-0 victory over Iraq earlier this week. However, despite entering Friday's match against Norway with four goals in the tournament, Mbappe failed to add to his tally as France secured a 4-1 win in their final group fixture.

Messi's appearance record has also continued to grow. Saturday's outing, even as a substitute, would mark his 28th FIFA World Cup match, extending his own competition record, while also adding to his 201 senior appearances for Argentina.

The Inter Miami star has now found the net in six consecutive World Cup appearances, becoming only the third player to achieve that feat after France's Just Fontaine and Brazil legend Jairzinho.

Managing fitness

Messi entered the World Cup after nursing a minor hamstring issue sustained while playing for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, which limited his preparation before the tournament.

Although there have been no signs of lingering discomfort since the competition began, Argentina appear determined to carefully manage their captain's workload as they pursue another run to the World Cup final.

(AP)