Lionel Messi throughout the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarterfinal match between Argentina and Switzerland at Kansas Metropolis Stadium
| Picture Credit score: Getty Photographs by way of AFP
Lionel Messi has spent over 20 years carving a path by worldwide soccer, going through each World Cup-winning nation from Brazil to France, however one notable opponent has at all times been lacking from the record: England.
That may change on Wednesday (July 15) when Argentina meet the European facet in a World Cup semifinal in Atlanta, a heavyweight conflict that Argentina’s FA (AFA) described on its web site as “the match destiny owed Messi.”
The 39-year-old Messi has performed Brazil, Uruguay, Germany, Italy, Spain and France throughout his profession, but by no means crossed paths with England.
The closest he got here was a pleasant in Geneva in November 2005, the final time the 2 sides confronted one another.
Argentina misplaced 3-2 as Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen, who scored twice, overturned objectives from Hernan Crespo and Walter Samuel. Messi, nonetheless, missed out after being despatched off on his worldwide debut in opposition to Hungary earlier that 12 months.
“It is particular as a result of they’re an awesome staff, a powerhouse, and it is at all times good to play a staff like that, a match of this type,” Messi informed reporters after Argentina’s 3-1 quarterfinal victory over Switzerland in additional time on Saturday.
“We have to relaxation as a result of we come from a variety of put on and tear, which the group clearly feels, and arrive in the absolute best situation to maintain doing what we have been doing: competing,” he added.
Argentina survived a 3rd consecutive dramatic knockout match, after defeating Cape Verde 3-2 in additional time within the spherical of 32 and staging a comeback to beat Egypt 3-2 within the final 16 after trailing 2-0 with 11 minutes remaining.
Messi contributed with an help for Alexis Mac Allister’s opening aim in opposition to Switzerland, nevertheless it was the primary World Cup match since Argentina’s 2-0 group-stage win over Poland at Qatar 2022 in which Messi didn’t rating.
“England can outrun Argentina however they simply have that little genius Messi. All of them play for him. Everybody needs to be excited,” BBC pundit Micah Richards mentioned. “Marking him is not possible as a result of he would not run again.”
The England conflict will add one other chapter to one in all soccer’s most emotionally charged rivalries, formed by a long time of sporting drama and political stress, whereas giving Messi a spot in a fixture that has produced a few of Argentina’s most enduring soccer reminiscences.
Printed – July 13, 2026 03:00 am IST
