Lionel Messi's first appearance was against England

Argentina national team captain Lionel Messi is on the verge of achieving one of the few remaining goals he has yet to accomplish in his legendary career. This was reported by Zamin.uz.

In the semi-final of the 2026 World Cup, the Argentina and England national teams are set to face off. This match will not only be the central game of the tournament but will also go down in history as Messi’s unique debut on the international stage.

According to information from Goal.com, the 39-year-old Messi has never played against the England national team during his long career. In the quarter-finals, Argentina defeated Switzerland in extra time, while England, under the guidance of Thomas Tuchel, successfully advanced from their group against Norway.

Thus, in the semi-final hosted by Atlanta, two football giants will settle their scores. The rivalry between Argentina and England holds a special place in football history.

Notably, the famous goals scored by Diego Maradona in the 1986 World Cup elevated this rivalry to legendary status. Although Messi did not witness those events firsthand, he emphasizes that this history is precious to every Argentine.

Messi has always regarded matches against England as particularly significant, given that they are considered one of the strongest teams in the world. He noted that he has played against nearly all major national teams, with England being the sole exception.

This is why the experienced striker is approaching this encounter with great anticipation. According to him, the team views this match not only as a personal goal but as a World Cup semi-final, and they will exert every effort to secure victory.

Lionel Messi is displaying exceptional form in the current tournament. So far, he leads the race for top scorer and stands as the best goalscorer in World Cup history.

During the group stage and early knockout rounds, he actively contributed to breaking down opponents’ defenses. Although Messi did not score in the tough match against Switzerland, he delivered a crucial assist, helping his team to victory.

This semi-final is not just a step toward the final—it is also a clash of two football philosophies. While the England national team displays disciplined and attacking football, Argentina rallies around its captain as a determined and cohesive unit.

There is no doubt that the match in Atlanta will be the focal point of global football attention.