‘Everyone except England’ - Lionel Messi reacts to lining up rare career first & explains how Argentina’s class of 2026 are inspired by Diego Maradona’s exploits against the Three Lions
Lionel Messi has expressed excitement about facing England for the first time in his international career during the 2026 World Cup semi-finals. The match is highly anticipated due to the historical rivalry between Argentina and England.
Why it matters
This marks a significant milestone for one of football's greatest players in a high-stakes international tournament.
Lionel Messi has described Argentina’s upcoming World Cup semi-final tie against England as "special", as the legendary playmaker prepares for a rare career first in Atlanta. Following hard-fought quarter-final victories for both heavyweights, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner is relishing the chance to finally face the Three Lions on the international stage.
The article reports on sports news and player quotes without taking a side or injecting political bias.
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