After more than two decades representing Argentina, Lionel Messi is about to experience something that has never happened in his legendary international career: facing England.
The long-awaited encounter will take place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-finals, where defending champions Argentina meet England in one of football’s most historic rivalries. The winner will book a place in the World Cup final, while the match itself promises to add another unforgettable chapter to the rivalry between two footballing giants.
A Missing Chapter in Messi’s Career
Few achievements remain unchecked on Lionel Messi’s extraordinary résumé.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has lifted the FIFA World Cup as Argentina’s captain, become his nation’s all-time leading appearance-maker and goalscorer, and established himself among the greatest players in football history.
Yet despite more than 20 years in international football and over 200 appearances for Argentina, Messi has never played against England.
That changes in Atlanta. At 39 years old, and competing in what could be his final World Cup, Messi finally gets the opportunity to face one of football’s biggest rivals and on the sport’s biggest stage.
Messi Remains Argentina’s Biggest Threat
Messi enters the semi-final as one of the tournament’s standout performers. With eight goals in the 2026 World Cup, he is level with France’s Kylian Mbappé in the race for the Golden Boot.
Although he failed to score in Argentina’s 3-1 extra-time quarter-final victory over Switzerland, his influence remained evident throughout the match.
Unlike earlier in his career, Messi no longer relies on constant movement or relentless pressing. Instead, he conserves energy, carefully reads the game, and waits for the perfect opportunity to make the decisive impact.
Former England defender and football pundit Micah Richards believes marking Messi individually is nearly impossible.
According to Richards, Messi has an extraordinary ability to find spaces other players don’t even recognize, becoming dangerous the moment defenders lose concentration.
Former England captain Wayne Rooney shares a similar view, arguing that while Messi contributes less defensively than in his younger years, his decision-making and creativity remain unmatched when it matters most.
For England, stopping Messi will require collective discipline, constant communication, and unwavering concentration throughout the match. Against a player of his quality, one defensive mistake can be enough to decide the game.
One of Football’s Greatest Rivalries Returns
Argentina and England share one of the richest rivalries in World Cup history.
Their meetings have produced several iconic moments remembered by football fans around the world.
The most famous came during the 1986 World Cup quarter-final, when Diego Maradona scored the controversial “Hand of God” goal before producing what many consider the greatest individual goal in World Cup history just minutes later.
Twelve years later, at the 1998 World Cup, David Beckham was sent off as Argentina eventually advanced on penalties.
England earned revenge in 2002, defeating Argentina through Beckham’s decisive penalty.
The last meeting between the two nations came in a friendly in 2005, when England secured a dramatic 3-2 victory after Michael Owen scored twice late in the match.
Interestingly, Messi was already part of Argentina’s national team at that time but missed the fixture because he was suspended following a red card in his international debut.
Since then, the two countries have not faced each other until now.
A Match Argentina Wanted
South American football journalist Tim Vickery believes this was the semi-final many Argentine supporters hoped for.
In his view, it would have felt incomplete if Messi had ended his international career without ever facing England, a nation many Argentines regard as one of their biggest football rivals.
The anticipation has already been visible among Argentina’s fans, who were heard singing songs aimed at England during the quarter-final victory over Switzerland.
Those emotions are expected to intensify inside Atlanta’s stadium.
Can Messi Add England to His Scoring List?
Messi’s international scoring record shows few opponents have escaped his brilliance.
He has scored 11 goals against Bolivia, seven each against Venezuela and Ecuador, six against Uruguay, and five against Brazil.
Against European opposition, Messi has also enjoyed success, scoring three goals each against Croatia, Switzerland, and France. Two of those goals against France came in Argentina’s memorable victory in the 2022 World Cup final.
Among countries he has faced more than once, only Qatar has kept Messi from scoring.
England now becomes the latest nation to test itself against one of football’s greatest forwards.
Whether England can prevent Messi from finding the net or whether he adds another prestigious opponent to his list of international goals could shape the outcome of the semi-final.
From Maradona to Messi
Nearly four decades after Diego Maradona produced one of the greatest World Cup performances ever against England, Argentina’s iconic No. 10 once again prepares to face the Three Lions.
For Messi, this is likely both his first and last meeting with England.
A place in the World Cup final, the Golden Boot race, and the dream of winning back-to-back World Cup titles are all on the line.
England, meanwhile, continue their pursuit of a first World Cup trophy in 60 years.
History has once again brought Argentina and England together on football’s biggest stage. Maradona and Beckham are no longer part of the story, but Messi now takes center stage as another memorable chapter in one of football’s greatest rivalries is ready to be written.
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