Lionel Messi has done everything in football. Well, almost everything. On 15 July, the Qatar 2022 winner will face off against England in the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
It will be the first time the Argentinian magician has played against the Three Lions in a trophy-littered career spanning more than two decades.
Inevitably, an Argentina No10 facing off against England in North America brings back incredible memories for Albiceleste fans, who recall Diego Maradona's magical performance against England en route to winning the 1986 World Cup in Mexico.
The upcoming match will no doubt draw comparisons to that one as the drama builds toward what has become one of international football's classic rivalries.
England and Argentina have not met in a competitive fixture since Korea/Japan 2002, when England defeated the Albiceleste 1-0 and sent them home early. At the time, Messi was still in the youth academy at FC Barcelona, looking to break into the first team and dreaming of a place with the Argentinian national side.
More than 20 years later, the Argentina captain will have a chance to write the next chapter in a famous rivalry as the Albiceleste look to repeat as world champions.
“The truth is, it’s special," Messi told reporters after the 3-1 victory over Switzerland sealed Argentina's place in the semi-finals.
"It’s a special match because it’s my first time. I’ve played against everyone except England. And it’s special, as I said before, because they’re a big team, a powerhouse. It’s always nice to play against teams like that, in matches like this, and especially in the semi-finals of a World Cup.”
“We’ll try to get some rest because we’ve been under a lot of pressure and it’s taken its toll," Messi added. "The squad feels it, but we’re in the best possible shape to carry on doing what we’ve been doing: competing.”
Courtesy: FIFA
