Lionel Messi is “more mortal now”, former England international Gary Pallister has told GOAL, with the Three Lions considered to be capable of ending Argentina’s World Cup title defense.
Thomas Tuchel’s side are due to lock horns with the reigning champions on Wednesday, with questions already being asked of how best to contain an evergreen all-time great.
Messi The GOAT Aiming To Defend His World Cup Title
Despite being 39 years of age, eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi has been showing no sign of slowing down. He may come into contention for Golden Ball No.9, with another global crown within sight after making history in MLS 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 scorer — as he remains an inspirational talisman for his country, and has surged beyond 200 caps. He guided Argentina, in Diego Maradona-esque fashion, to the most prestigious prize in football at Qatar 2022.
Bellingham, Kane Have Been Starring For England
England now block Messi’s path in an ongoing bid to go back-to-back, with the Three Lions seeing match winners of their own emerge in the form of record-setting captain Harry Kane and ‘Galactico’ midfielder Jude Bellingham.
They will be giving Argentina – players, coaches and supporters – sleepless nights, but will there also be some bleary eyes in the England camp? Tuchel and Co need to come up with a tactical plan that limits Messi’s impact on proceedings.
How Do You Stop Messi? Is That Even Possible?
Quizzed on whether that is possible, or if there needs to be acceptance that the mercurial No.10 will have his say at some point, ex-Three Lions defender Pallister – speaking in association with NetBet Sport – told GOAL: “Messi’s not Messi of 10 years ago, I don’t think.
“Yes, he’s still pivotal to Argentina, he’s still the go-to man, but I don’t think he can do the damage that he did when he was at his peak. I don’t think he can waltz through teams like he used to.
“He’s still a wonderful technician. The goal he scored the other night [against Cape Verde] when he took it down with the surface of his foot and slammed it within the roof of the online was beautiful.
“He can rating targets. He’s the group chief in that facet. He was 4 years in the past and he nonetheless is now. However I do not assume he’s the participant he was when he was taking Barcelona to European Cups and La Liga titles.
“Clearly he is nonetheless harmful. He is extra of a mortal now, I’d say. He may be ingenious in these little small pockets, can manipulate the ball, can rating a purpose.
“I do not assume they will man-mark him or something like that. However he is a participant that, clearly, you’ve got to pay attention to and try to nullify. We have been wanting on the weaknesses of the England group, and that in all probability has been on the again. However I believe we have now an excessive amount of for Argentina on the evening.
“I do not assume that warmth goes to be a difficulty. I believe it’s being performed indoors on the area in Atlanta. I believe the lads will be grateful for that. They will be extra comfy with the setting.
“I believe there will be a perception in that group that they will win that recreation. And let’s hope Spain beat France, as a result of I believe they’re the group of the match, France. I believe they will take some stopping.”
2026 World Cup: 4 Heavyweights In Semifinal Motion
France, with Kylian Mbappé topping the Golden Boot chart at current, are set to tackle Spain 24 hours previous to England locking horns with Argentina. No matter occurs throughout each fixtures, an epic remaining showdown on the outskirts of New York will probably be lined up.
Messi is hoping to be there, however so too are Kane, Bellingham and a pack of lions which can be looking for to finish 60 years of trophy-chasing damage.
Any individual is more likely to produce a second of magic in Atlanta that alters the course of the sport, however it’s but to be decided who that will probably be and whether or not one other iconic determine will be part of the likes of Neymar and Cristiano Ronaldo in taking a “final dance” on the grandest of sporting phases.
