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Lionel Messi is “more lethal now”, former England international Gary Pallister has told GOAL, with the Three Lions tipped to be capable of ending Argentina’s World Cup title defence.
Thomas Tuchel’s side are set to lock horns with the reigning champions on Wednesday, with questions already being asked about how best to contain an evergreen all-time great.
Messi GOAT aims to defend his World Cup title
Despite being 39, eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi has shown no signs of slowing down. He could be in contention for Golden Ball No. 9, with another global crown within sight after making MLS history at current employers Inter Miami.
The South American GOAT has plundered eight goals at the 2026 World Cup – becoming the competition’s all-time leading goalscorer – as he continues to be an inspirational talisman for his country, scoring more than 200 caps. He guided Argentina, in Diego Maradona-esque fashion, to the most prestigious football prize in Qatar 2022.
Bellingham, Kane has played for England
England are now blocking Messi’s path in an ongoing bid to go back-to-back, with the Three Lions seeing their own match-winners emerge in the form of record-setting captain Harry Kane and ‘Galactico’ midfielder Jude Bellingham.
They will give Argentina – players, coaches and supporters – sleepless nights, but will there also be some teary eyes in England’s camp? Tuchel and Co must come up with a tactical plan that limits Messi’s influence on proceedings.
How do you stop Messi? Is it even possible?
Asked if it is possible or if there must be acceptance that the mercurial No.10 will speak his mind at some point, former Three Lions defender Pallister – in association with NetBet Sport – told GOAL: “Messi is not the Messi of 10 years ago, I don’t think so.
“Yes, he’s still crucial for Argentina, he’s still the go-to man, but I don’t think he can do the damage he did when he was at his peak. I don’t think he can waltz through teams like he used to.
“He is still a wonderful technician. He scored the goal the other night [against Cape Verde] when he took it down with the outside of his foot and hit it into the roof of the net was exquisite.
“He can score goals. He is the team leader in that side. He was four years ago and he still is now. But I don’t think he is the player he was when he took Barcelona to the European Cup and La Liga titles.
“Obviously, he’s still dangerous. He’s more of a mortal now, I’d say. He can be brilliant in those tiny little pockets, can manipulate the ball, can score a goal.
“I don’t think they’ll man-brand him or anything like that. But he’s a player that you obviously have to be aware of and try to cancel out. We’ve looked at the weaknesses of the England team and that’s probably been behind us. But I think we have too much for Argentina tonight.
“I don’t think heat is going to be a problem. I think it’s going to be played indoors at the arena in Atlanta. I think the boys will be happy with it. They’ll be more comfortable with the environment.
“I think there will be a belief in that team that they can win that game. And let’s hope that Spain beat France because I think they are the team of the tournament, France. I think they will take some stops.”
WC 2026: Four heavyweights in the semi-finals
France, with Kylian Mbappé currently topping the Golden Boot chart, are set to take on Spain 24 hours before England lock horns with Argentina. Regardless of what happens across both games, an epic final showdown on the outskirts of New York will be in store.
Messi hopes to be there, but so are Kane, Bellingham and a pack of Lions looking to end 60 years of trophy chasing.
Someone is likely to produce a game-changing moment of magic in Atlanta, but it remains to be seen who it will be and whether another iconic figure will join the likes of Neymar and Cristiano Ronaldo in taking a “last dance” on the sport’s biggest stages.
