World Cup: ‘England can stop Messi, Argentina’

Former England international, Gary Pallister, believes the Three Lions have what it takes to stop Lionel Messi and end Argentina’s World Cup title defence.

Thomas Tuchel’s side are due to lock horns with the reigning champions tomorrow, with questions already being asked of how best to contain an evergreen all-time great, Messi.

Despite being 39 years of age, eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, Messi has been showing no sign of slowing down.

He may yet come into contention for Golden Ball No.9, with another global crown within sight after making history in MLS at current employers Inter Miami.

The South American GOAT has plundered eight goals at the 2026 World Cup, becoming the competition’s all-time leading scorer, as he remains an inspirational talisman for his country, and has surged beyond 200 caps.
He guided Argentina, in Diego Maradona-esque fashion, to the most prestigious prize in football at Qatar 2022.

England now block Messi’s path in an ongoing bid to go back-to-back, with the Three Lions seeing match winners of their own emerge in the form of record-setting captain Harry Kane and ‘Galactico’ midfielder Jude Bellingham.

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“Messi’s not Messi of 10 years ago, I don’t think.

“Yes, he’s still pivotal to Argentina, he’s still the go-to man, but I don’t think he can do the damage that he did when he was at his peak. I don’t think he can waltz through teams like he used to.

“He’s still a wonderful technician. The goal he scored the other night [against Cape Verde] when he took it down with the outside of his foot and slammed it in the roof of the net, was exquisite,” Pallister said .

“He can score goals. He is the team leader on that side. He was four years ago, and he still is now. But I don’t think he’s the player he was when he was taking Barcelona to European Cups and La Liga titles.

“Obviously he’s still dangerous. He’s more of a mortal now, I would say. He can be ingenious in those little small pockets, can manipulate the ball, can score a goal.

“I don’t think they’ll man-mark him or anything like that. But he’s a player that, obviously, you have to be aware of and try and nullify. We’ve been looking at the weaknesses of the England team, and that probably has been at the back. But I think we have too much for Argentina on the night,” ex-England defender Pallister told GOAL.