Lionel Messi has done just about everything possible in a glorious career, but the 39-year-old Argentinian great has never taken on England — he will finally get the chance in Wednesday's FIFA World Cup semi-final after a controversial run beset with brilliance and refereeing controversies.
Messi won his 205th cap for the La Albiceleste — the nickname for Argentina’s national football team — in the victory against Switzerland in the quarter-finals and dreams of leading his country to the final once again.
The diminutive playmaker is surely in the final days of a remarkable international career which began when he was a fresh-faced 18-year-old back in 2005. He turned 39 in June.
Having broken into the Barcelona team late in 2004, Messi had just starred for Argentina as they won the Under-20 World Cup in the Netherlands.
He was handed his Argentina debut by Jose Pekerman in a friendly against Hungary in Budapest that August, replacing Lisandro Lopez in the 64th minute and joining Hernan Crespo up front.
Ninety seconds later he was sent off for what the referee saw as an elbow. It was quite the ignominious way for his Argentina career to begin.
"An 18-year-old kid who is making his debut for the national team and has so much hope — he can't be punished like that. The referee needed to be more understanding," said Crespo at the time.
Messi might look back now and laugh at that incident. But it led to him being suspended for a friendly match against England in Geneva three months later — which has eluded him ever since.
The nations have not met since, and so Messi will play against England for the very first time in the World Cup under the roof of the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
"I have played against everyone except England and it is special because they are a major nation, a powerhouse, and it is always nice to play against a side like that, especially in a World Cup semi-final," said Messi.
Emulating Maradona
The man who inspired his team like Diego Maradona leading Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar four years ago will now hope to leave a similar mark on England as his legendary predecessor.
Any meeting of these countries evokes memories of the 1986 quarter-final at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, when Maradona punched in to score the 'Hand of God' opener and then ran past half the England defence for his team's second goal — perhaps the greatest World Cup goal of all time.
"Everything I have seen and remember [about Argentina vs. England from 1986] is from videos and images that Argentinians constantly watch and relive," Messi said.
Messi has not scored one quite like that, but ahead of the semi-finals of the current tournament he had scored more World Cup goals than any other player.
With 21 goals from a tournament record 32 appearances, he leads France skipper Kylian Mbappe by one after the quarter-finals.
Argentina are now one game away from reaching another World Cup final, as they aim to become the first team to retain the trophy since Brazil in 1962.
It would be a third final in four World Cups, and Messi could follow in the footsteps of Brazil great Cafu. The full-back played in three in a row from 1994 to 2002 — even Maradona only played in two.
"Getting to another semi-final is not a normal, mundane thing, so this is something we should really enjoy because we don't know if it will happen again," Messi said.
The England players will hope to enjoy it as well.
England eye first World Cup final in 60 years
"It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," Nico O'Reilly, who is likely to come up against Messi if he starts at left-back, told BBC Radio 5 Live.
This match is steeped in history, offering the team led by Thomas Tuchel the opportunity to move towards their first final in 60 years.
England have reached the World Cup semi-finals for the second time in the last three tournaments. In 2018, they were beaten by Croatia in extra time at the World Cup in Russia.
The 1966 World Cup was the first and only time England reached the final and won the most valuable trophy.
Tuchel's team relied on quality and determination twice in the knockout stages after finding themselves at a disadvantage. They came back into the game and kept hope alive. Germany coach Tuchel sees many positives in this regard.
"The team refuses to give up. The players refuse to accept defeat," Tuchel said. "The players overcome challenges and move forward. There is not even 1 per cent complaint."
Tuchel however has said that there is room for improvement in England.
"Overcoming difficulties and finding a way to win is the only way to succeed," he said. "We have found a way and we are in the top four, which is the most important thing. But I think we can and should play better football."
England's progress has been largely driven by the duo of Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham. The pair have scored six goals each, out of England's 13 in total. They are the first team duo to score so many goals in a World Cup.
Bellingham goes to Atlanta in fantastic form, after four goals in his last two games.
"A world-class performance from a world-class player, in very, very big moments," Tuchel said. "Absolutely, extraordinary."
England striker Noni Madueke has stressed that these appearances have become routine for the Real Madrid player.
"It's unbelievable what he's doing," Madueke said. "It's very normal for him."
History provides ample evidence for the semi-final showdown.
The two teams have met five times in the past at the World Cup. England defeated Argentina in 1962 and 1966, before Maradona's famous "Hand of God" goal and solo effort secured Argentina victory in 1986.
Argentina had advanced to the round of 16 of the 1998 World Cup – but the match is remembered for Michael Owen's incredible goal and David Beckham's red card.
Beckham got revenge by scoring England's 1-0 winner in the 2002 group stage in Japan.
