Lionel Messi’s glittering career has seen him conquer almost every football milestone, but the 39-year-old Argentine legend has never faced England. That changes this Wednesday when Argentina meets the Three Lions in a highly anticipated World Cup semi-final in Atlanta.
Messi is nearing the end of a remarkable international journey that began in 2005. Interestingly, his debut against Hungary ended in a controversial red card after just 90 seconds. The resulting suspension forced him to miss a subsequent friendly against England, leaving him waiting 21 years for this encounter.
"I have played against everyone except England. It is special because they are a major powerhouse," Messi remarked after Argentina’s quarter-final victory over Switzerland.
For Argentina, this match is a crucial step towards retaining the World Cup trophy they won in Qatar. Reaching the final would mark their third appearance in the last four World Cups. Messi, who holds the record for World Cup appearances (32) and reached 21 World Cup goals ahead of the quarter-finals, hopes to leave a lasting legacy reminiscent of Diego Maradona’s iconic 1986 performance against England.
England’s squad is equally eager for the challenge. Young defender Nico O'Reilly described playing against Messi as a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," adding, "For me personally, he's the best player to ever touch a football pitch".
As two football heavyweights collide, fans worldwide await a historic showdown to see if Messi’s final World Cup chapter includes a victory over the Three Lions.
