There are few achievements on the football pitch that Lionel Messi has not achieved. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has played over 200 matches in his illustrious career, scoring a record 125 international goals.
But the 39-year-old young magician still has one blemish in his international career: he has never played against the Three Lions or England. Finally, that wait is coming to an end.
Argentina and England will face off in a high-voltage World Cup semi-final in Atlanta next Wednesday. Argentina were at one point in danger of being eliminated in the quarter-finals against Switzerland, but the Albiceleste advanced to the last four with a 3-1 extra-time victory.
Messi was goalless for the first time this season, but he is still tied with Kylian Mbappe for the Golden Boot with eight goals. He is also the all-time leading scorer at the World Cup.
Messi’s historic match is being analyzed in the football world. BBC pundit Micah Richards said, “It’s impossible to mark Messi. He doesn’t go down and defend, but rather takes up positions in pockets (empty spaces) where he’s not supposed to be. He shines at the right time. No other footballer has the ‘aura’ like Messi, it’s on another level.”
However, former footballer Chris Sutton believes that Thomas Tuchel’s England team will not be too afraid of Argentina. On the other hand, former English striker Wayne Rooney has pointed out Messi’s defensive weaknesses. According to Rooney, ‘Messi can be Argentina’s weakness in defense because he doesn’t run down. Like Jude Bellingham, he creates moments that can turn the game around. To stop Messi, you have to maintain great communication and attention among your teammates.’
According to South American football expert Tim Vicary, this was the semi-final Argentina fans had been waiting for. It is unthinkable that Messi, who has played more than 200 matches, would end his international career without facing his greatest rival. In the second half of the quarter-final, Argentine fans in the gallery began chanting “Whoever doesn’t jump is English”.