Lionel Messi, at 39, will finally face England in a World Cup semifinal on July 15, 2026, at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. This match represents a significant moment in Messi's storied international career.
Having recently celebrated his 200th cap for Argentina, Messi aspires to replicate his previous success and lead his team to another final.
A Historic Encounter
I have played against everyone except England and it is special because they are a major nation, a powerhouse.
Lionel Messi
Messi's career began in 2005, but a fateful debut against Hungary saw him sent off just minutes after entering the game. This incident led to a missed opportunity to face England in a friendly shortly after.
- Messi has scored 21 World Cup goals, the highest among all players.
- Argentina aims to be the first team to retain the World Cup since Brazil in 1962.
This upcoming match reignites memories of Argentina's infamous 1986 quarter-final against England, where Diego Maradona famously scored the 'Hand of God' goal.
Messi, who has already scored in nine consecutive World Cup matches, is determined to lead Argentina to their third final in four tournaments.
As Messi prepares for this monumental game, England's Nico O'Reilly expressed his excitement, stating, "It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. He’s the best player to ever touch a football pitch."
For Messi, this could be one of his last opportunities to make history, adding even more weight to this pivotal match.