At the age of 39, there are few things in soccer Lionel Messi hasn’t done. Yet he faces a new challenge in the 2026 World Cup semifinals, with England the only major national team he has never faced in his career.

How Messi and England avoided one another

Argentina and England, who share both sporting and political rivalries, haven’t met since a friendly in Geneva in November 2005. Messi had made his senior debut for La Albiceleste three months earlier but wasn’t involved in Argentina’s 3-2 defeat in Switzerland.

Despite not meeting for more than two decades, and perhaps even because of it, to call Wednesday’s showdown in Atlanta eagerly anticipated would be quite the understatement.

A sporting rivalry built on unforgettable World Cup moments

The teams have played two of the most memorable World Cup knockout games in history. In 1986, only four years after the Falklands War, Diego Maradona scored two of soccer’s most iconic goals in the space of five minutes during a quarterfinal against the Three Lions in Mexico City.

Twelve years later, Argentina again got the better of England, this time in a penalty shootout in Saint-Étienne, France. The 1998 round of 16 clash will forever be remembered for Michael Owen’s stunning goal and David Beckham’s red card, which threatened to derail his career. Let’s just say he bounced back from it fairly well.

Messi reflects on finally facing England

Fast forward to 2026, and Messi was asked about the prospect of facing a new opponent for the very first time following Argentina’s quarterfinal victory over Switzerland. The Inter Miami star couldn’t help but reflect on that famous clash from 40 years ago.

“Obviously, everything I know and remember comes from the videos and images that Argentines have watched and relived over and over from 1986,” Messi told ESPN Argentina.

“I think this team is used to playing big games, no matter who the opponent is. Of course, facing England is special because they’re one of the world’s top teams, and matches against teams like that are always different. Personally, it’ll be my first time playing against them. I’ve faced just about everyone else, but never England, so that’s something I’m really looking forward to as well.

“We have to approach it for what it is: a World Cup semifinal against one of the best teams in the world, a great national team,” he continued. “We’ll do everything we can to be as prepared as possible so we can go out there and compete again.”

Messi’s perfect semifinal record

Messi will be taking part in his third World Cup semifinal, and he is 2-0 so far.

In 2014, Argentina defeated the Netherlands 4-2 on penalties after a scoreless draw before losing the final to Germany.

In Qatar four years ago, Lionel Scaloni’s team comfortably defeated Croatia 3-0 in the semifinals before famously beating France in a penalty shootout in one of the greatest World Cup finals of all time.

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