Messi ready to defy doubters again as Argentina great gives England verdict

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Lionel Messi has described England as a “powerhouse" - now, finally, the GOAT will go toe-to-toe with England in Wednesday’s semi-final with Atlanta.

It is remarkable the player - regarded by most as the Greatest Of All Time - has never played against England before. And now Messi is eyeing another piece of history against one of

Argentina

’s greatest football rivals. This is a grudge match which will go beyond the pitch as the reigning

world

champions face Thomas Tuchel’s Three Lions.

Messi, 39, appears to be on a one-man mission to help Argentina win back-to-back World Cups for the first time since

Brazil

in 1962. Four years ago in

Qatar

, we thought it would be Messi’s farewell as he helped Argentina overcome

France

on penalties after arguably the greatest final of all time.

And yet here is Messi lighting up this World Cup with goals, assists and more brilliance which surely sets him apart from any player in history.

Messi is currently tied with Kylian Mbappe on eight goals in the battle for this World Cup’s Golden Boot. Mbappe is currently ahead courtesy of the assist tie-breaker after providing three which is one more than Messi.

Harry Kane

and

Jude Bellingham

have six goals each and this tournament is shaping up to be the battle of the titans. For the first time ever, FIFA’s top four teams have also made the semi finals because the tennis-style draw which has kept them apart until now.

Pundits were queuing up four years ago to say this Argentina side is a long way from being their best. But they still defied expectations to go and win it. The same accusation is levelled at Argentina this time and yet Messi’s magic means elevates the team to a different level.

They are never beaten. Even with the clock ticking down as they trailed 2-0 against

Egypt

in the last 16, Messi gave Argentina hope and a never-say-die spirit.

Messi’s very presence on the pitch gives them an aura and a fear factor which overwhelms opponents. Egypt crumbled and Argentina went through. He is a long way from being the dynamic winger who would tear English teams apart in the

Champions League

.

Incredibly, former

Barcelona

and Paris Saint Germain star Messi scored 27 goals and provided six assists in 36 appearances against English opponents in the Champions League.

These days, the Inter Miami star tends to play through the middle, he has become a moments player who comes to life at the right time rather than dominate games for 90 minutes. But when Argentina were losing to Egypt, Messi did what he knows best: he shifted out to the right wing, cut inside and worked his magic. Suddenly Messi was transformed into his old self because he is chasing a dream.

Another World Cup. The Argentina fans are singing about Messi, the Falklands (Malvinas) and putting a fourth star on the shirt. When the Argentina players sing in the dressing room, they have adopted the chant.

The song is translated to: “I am a supporter of the national team. I cheer it on with all my heart. We won the third title with Lionel, and we want to be champions once again.

"And 32 years later, La Scaloneta will avenge, the trophy that was taken from the No 10, the one we were not allowed to lift. I want to see the fourth star shining on the jersey. I am Argentine from cradle to grave, for the Malvinas, for Diego, for Leo’s final chapter. Argentina, I want to see you become back-to-back champions.”

That dream of winning back-to-back World Cups is driving Messi and Argentina on. The rivalry with England gives them even greater motivation.

As does the memory of Diego Maradona. When Messi was interviewed after the quarter final win over

Switzerland

, he not only described England as a “powerhouse” but also as a “special opponent” as he brought up 1986.

England have an impressive record against Argentina - only two defeats, although they did lose on penalties in 1998 - but have not played them since a friendly in November 2005 which explains why Messi has never faced them.

But Messi’s World Cup is all about breaking records, writing new chapters of history and chasing even more glory to put his status as the greatest of all time beyond any doubt.