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Lionel Messi is “more deadly now”, former England international Gary Pallister told GOAL, and the Three Lions are considered capable of ending Argentina’s World Cup title defence.
Thomas Tuchel’s side take on the reigning champions on Wednesday, and questions are already being raised about how best to contain an all-time great.
Messi The GOAT With The Aim Of Defending His World Title
Despite being 39 years old, Messi, an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, has shown no signs of slowing down. He could enter the race for Ballon d’Or number 9, with another world crown in sight after making MLS history with current employer Inter Miami.
The South American GOAT has scored eight goals at the 2026 World Cup, becoming the competition’s all-time leading scorer, and remains an inspirational talisman for his country, having surpassed 200 international appearances. He guided Argentina, Diego Maradona style, to the most prestigious prize in football in Qatar 2022.
Bellingham and Kane have been protagonists for England
England are now blocking Messi’s path in a continued bid to return to back-to-back play, and the Three Lions are seeing their own match-winners emerge in the form of record-setting captain Harry Kane and ‘Galáctico’ midfielder Jude Bellingham.
They will give Argentina – players, coaches and fans – sleepless nights, but will there also be some teary eyes in the England camp? Tuchel and company need to come up with a tactical plan that limits Messi’s impact on proceedings.
How can Messi be stopped? Is that possible?
Asked if that is possible, or whether it is necessary to accept that the mercurial number 10 will give his opinion at some point, former Three Lions defender Pallister, speaking in association with NetBet Sport, told GOAL: “Messi is not the Messi of 10 years ago, I don’t think so.
“Yes, he is still fundamental for 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 best. “I don’t think he can go through teams like he used to.
“He is still a wonderful coach. The goal he scored the other night [against Cape Verde] when he took it down with the outside of his foot and smashed it into the roof of the net it was exquisite.
“He can score goals. He is the team leader on that team. He was four years ago and he still is now. But I don’t think he is the player he was when he led Barcelona to European Cups and La Liga titles.
“Obviously he’s still dangerous. Now he’s more deadly, I would say. He can be clever in those little pockets, he can manipulate the ball, he can score a goal.
“I don’t think they’ll mark him or anything like that. But he’s a player you obviously have to be aware of and try to nullify. We’ve been looking at the weaknesses of the England team, and that’s probably been in defence. But I think we have too much for Argentina tonight.
“I don’t think the heat is going to be a problem. I think it will be played indoors at the Atlanta stadium. I think the guys will be happy with that. They will feel more comfortable with the environment.
“I think that team will believe that they can win that game. And let’s hope that Spain beats France, because I think they are the team of the tournament, France. I think they will need to stop a little bit.”
World Cup 2026: Four heavyweights in semi-final action
France, with Kylian Mbappe currently topping the Golden Boot shortlist, will take on Spain 24 hours before England take on Argentina. Whatever happens in both games, an epic final showdown lies ahead on the outskirts of New York.
Messi hopes to be there, but so are Kane, Bellingham and a pride of lions looking to end 60 years of pain in the quest for trophies.
Someone is likely to produce a magical moment in Atlanta that alters the course of the game, but it remains to be determined who it will be and whether another iconic figure will join the likes of Neymar and Cristiano Ronaldo for a “last dance” on sporting’s grandest stage.
