Lionel Messi will face England for the first time in his career when Argentina meet the Three Lions in Thursday’s FIFA World Cup semi-final in Atlanta.
The 39-year-old has played every other World Cup-winning nation during his international career, including Brazil, Germany, France, Italy, Spain and Uruguay. England remain the only former world champions he has never faced.
Messi almost featured when the teams met in a friendly in Geneva in 2005. Argentina lost 3-2, but Messi missed the match after receiving a red card on his international debut against Hungary earlier that year.
After Argentina’s 3-1 extra-time win over Switzerland, Messi welcomed the opportunity to take on England.
“It’s special because they’re a great team, a powerhouse, and it’s always nice to play a team like that, a match of this kind.”
“We need to rest because we come from a lot of wear and tear, which the group obviously feels, and arrive in the best possible condition to keep doing what we’ve been doing: competing.”
Argentina reached the semi-finals after three demanding knockout matches. Messi set up Alexis Mac Allister’s opening goal against Switzerland, although it marked his first World Cup match without a goal since Argentina beat Poland 2-0 during the 2022 group stage.
Former England defender Micah Richards expects Messi to remain decisive despite his limited defensive work.
“England can outrun Argentina but they just have that little genius Messi. They all play for him. Everyone should be excited.”
“Marking him is impossible because he doesn’t run back.”
The semi-final will also renew one of international football’s fiercest rivalries, while giving Messi his first opportunity to play against England on the biggest stage.
