From Ibiza holiday to Argentina call-up: Sensi's summer turns around

Marcelo Sensi, the 29-year-old defender, had accepted that he would miss Argentina’s 2026 World Cup squad when his summer took a dramatic turn. After an excellent season with Bournemouth, and just hours after being unveiled as Tottenham’s newest signing, he was on holiday in Ibiza with his partner, waiting in vain for a late national-team invitation.

Sensi, born in Concordia and developed in San Lorenzo’s youth system, had initially been left out of Lionel Scaloni’s original 26-man squad. Even while on vacation, he kept training in hope of a last-minute chance. That call finally came when Scaloni informed him he was being added to the Albiceleste roster after Leonardo Balerdi was ruled out with an injury. His partner recorded the moment, and the video quickly went viral on social media.

The late call-up caps one of the strongest seasons of Sensi’s career. He made 39 appearances in all competitions for Bournemouth, playing a major role in the club’s historic sixth-place Premier League finish and qualification for the Europa League. Across four seasons in England, he played 129 matches and scored six goals.

Sensi completed his move to Tottenham only hours before hearing from Scaloni. At Spurs, he will join fellow Argentina international Cristian Romero. What began as a summer away from the squad ended, for the defender, with a place in football’s biggest tournament.