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Lionel Messi is “more lethal now”, former England international Gary Pallister has told GOAL, with the Three Lions seen as capable of ending Argentina’s World Cup title defense.
Thomas Tuchel’s side are set to face the reigning champions on Wednesday, with questions already being asked about how best to contain an evergreen all-time great.
Messi The GOAT aims to defend his World Cup title
Despite being 39 years old, eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi shows no signs of slowing down. He could enter the running for Ballon d’Or No. 9, with another world crown in sight after making MLS history at current employer Inter Miami.
The South American GOAT has scored eight goals at the 2026 World Cup – becoming the competition’s all-time top scorer – as he remains an inspirational talisman for his country and has surpassed 200 caps. He guided Argentina, Diego Maradona-style, to football’s most prestigious prize at Qatar 2022.
Bellingham and Kane played for England
England now block Messi’s path in a continuing bid to come back to back-to-back, with the Three Lions seeing their own winners emerge in the form of record captain Harry Kane and ‘Galactico’ midfielder Jude Bellingham.
They will give Argentina – players, coaches and supporters – sleepless nights, but will there be some teary eyes in the England camp too? Tuchel and Co. must develop a tactical plan that limits Messi’s impact on the proceedings.
How to stop Messi? Is this even possible?
Asked whether this is possible, or whether it should be accepted that the mercurial No.10 will have a say at some point, former Three Lions defender Pallister – speaking in association with NetBet Sport – told GOAL: “Messi is not Messi from 10 years ago, I don’t think so.
“Yes, he still plays a central role in Argentina, he is 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 did before.
“He’s still a wonderful technician. The goal he scored the other night [against Cape Verde] when he took it away with the outside of his foot and hit it into the roof of the net, it was exquisite.
“He can score goals. He is the team leader of this team. He was four years ago and he still is now. But I don’t think he is the player he was when he was taking Barcelona to European Cups and La Liga titles.
“Obviously he’s still dangerous. He’s more lethal now, I would say. He can be resourceful in those little pockets, can handle the ball, can score a goal.
“I don’t think they’ll mark him or anything like that. But he’s a player that obviously you have to be aware of and try to write off. We looked at the weaknesses of the England team, and it was probably at the back. But I think we have too many for Argentina tonight.
“I don’t think the heat will be a problem. I think the game is played inside the Atlanta Arena. I think the guys will be happy with that. They’ll be more comfortable with the environment.
“I think this team will have the belief that they can win this match. And let’s hope that Spain beats France, because I think they are the team of the tournament, France. I think they will have to stop.”
2026 World Cup: four heavyweights in the semi-finals
France, with Kylian Mbappe currently at the top of the Golden Boot standings, are set to face Spain 24 hours before England take on Argentina. Whatever happens in the two encounters, an epic final showdown will take place in the suburbs of New York.
Messi hopes to be there, as will Kane, Bellingham and a pack of lions looking to end 60 years of suffering in pursuit of trophies.
Someone is likely to produce a moment of magic in Atlanta that changes the course of the game, but it remains to be seen who it will be and whether another iconic figure will join Neymar and Cristiano Ronaldo in performing a “last dance” on the grandest of sporting stages.
