Alright, buckle up, because Wednesday is about to be wild. Lionel Messi, the 38-year-old legend, is gearing up for his sixth FIFA World Cup semifinal with Argentina, and get this: he's finally going to check off a new opponent. The Albiceleste are facing England in Atlanta, and for the first time in his entire international career, Messi will play against the Three Lions. England's definitely looking for payback, too. Those brutal World Cup defeats in 1986 and 1998? Yeah, those still sting for them.
The One That Got Away: Messi's International Debut Miss
It's actually kind of nuts that Messi, arguably the greatest to ever kick a ball, has never stepped onto a field against England for his country. Argentina and England have met in his career, sure, but he wasn't there. We're talking about an international friendly way back on November 10, 2005. Messi, then a 17-year-old rising star, couldn't play in that match. Why? He was serving a red card suspension that carried over from his international debut, where he got sent off in the 65th minute against Hungary. Now, usually, FIFA doesn't make red cards from friendlies carry over like that, but federations sometimes honor them in later friendlies as a goodwill gesture. Argentina did exactly that, upholding a one-match ban in their next friendly three months later, after Messi had already played in three World Cup qualifiers. And what happened in that 2005 friendly without him? Argentina lost 3-2. You gotta wonder how that game would've gone if he was out there.Powerhouses Collide: Messi's Thoughts on England
Man, even the GOAT himself is hyped for this one. Messi has been clear, telling ESPN Argentina he's anticipating a super tough match against a strong opponent. He's seen all the old '86 videos, the ones that Argentinians "constantly watch and relive," but he's also confident in his squad, saying they're "used to playing football matches regardless of the opponent." Still, you can practically hear the excitement in his voice when he talks about England. He knows they're a "powerhouse," and those games? "Always special," he said. Think about it: at 38, after six World Cups, he's faced pretty much every major nation on the planet. But England? Nope. "Personally, it's the first time I'm going to play against them," he admitted. "I've played against everyone except England, so it will be nice for that reason too." This isn't just another game for him, it's a career first, a new challenge on the biggest stage. He's ready to "experience it for what it is: a World Cup semifinal against a powerhouse, a great team," and he's pushing his team to "arrive in the best possible shape to compete again." You gotta respect that focus. He might not have faced England internationally, but Messi's got a storied history against English clubs. In the UEFA Champions League, he's played 36 matches against them. His record? Pretty solid, honestly. He's won 19 of those games, drawn 8, and lost 9. He absolutely shredded Manchester City, beating them six times and drawing twice in eight matches. Arsenal got a dose of the Messi magic too; he won four of six games against them, dropping a whopping nine goals in those matchups. So yeah, he knows how to score against English talent. This Wednesday isn't just another game, it's a moment. Messi finally facing England in a World Cup semifinal? It's everything you could ask for. Get ready, because history is about to be made in Atlanta.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.