Lionel Messi is “more mortal now”, former England international Gary Pallister has told GOAL, with the Three Lions considered to be capable of ending Argentina’s World Cup title defense.Â
Thomas Tuchel’s side are due to lock horns with the reigning champions on Wednesday, with questions already being asked of how best to contain an evergreen all-time great.
Despite being 39 years of age, eight-time Ballon dOr winner Messi has been showing no sign of slowing down. He may 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 â becoming the competition’s all-time leading scorer â 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 Messis 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.
They will be giving Argentina – players, coaches and supporters – sleepless nights, but will there also be some bleary eyes in the England camp? Tuchel and Co need to come up with a tactical plan that limits Messis impact on proceedings.
Quizzed on whether that is possible, or if there needs to be acceptance that the mercurial No.10 will have his say at some point, ex-Three Lions defender Pallister – speaking in association with NetBet Sport – told GOAL: “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.
“He can score goals. He is the team leader in that side. He was four years ago and he still is now. But I don’t think hes 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 be
