Former England right-back Kyle Walker has offered his advice to Thomas Tuchel on how to stop Lionel Messi. The Three Lions will take on the reigning world champions Argentina in the FIFA World Cup semi-final at the Atlanta Stadium on Wednesday, July 15.
Lionel Messi has enjoyed a phenomenal FIFA World Cup campaign this time out and even at the age of 39, he remains Argentina’s biggest weapon. The Inter Miami superstar has scored eight goals and provided two assists in six games, jointly leading the scoring charts.
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Kyle Walker, who earned 96 caps for England before taking retirement from international football in 2025, has lavished praise on Lionel Messi. He insisted that the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) superstar does not track back enough, which can be exploited by England. He wrote in his column for The Sun:
“It’s hard to analyse where there might be any weakness with Messi. Maybe there’s the fact he doesn’t do much tracking back. But he has a great team working for him, which allows him to do what he does best. Those lads that are running around for him know what he can bring. He saves his energy for when he has the ball and it’s how Argentina deservedly won the World Cup in 2022. I’m sure he’ll be more than up for England in the semi-final, to try and retain the trophy.”
He added:
“I was debating with the lads at my club, Burnley, whether you would man-mark him. If you do, does that mean you are worrying about him too much without exploring the space behind him when he doesn’t get back as quickly as he should do? I don’t mind man-marking, but I don’t think it’s going to work for us, and he’ll probably take it as a personal challenge to actually show people that you can’t man-mark him. I’d say don’t poke the bear.”
Spain have already progressed to the FIFA World Cup final by beating France 2-0 in the first semi-final on Tuesday, July 14. The winner of Argentina vs England will take on La Roja at the New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday, July 19.
England boss Thomas Tuchel responds when asked if Lionel Messi is the GOAT ahead of the FIFA World Cup semi-final clash
England manager Thomas Tuchel offered his opinion on the GOAT debate ahead of the Three Lions’ FIFA World Cup semi-final clash against Lionel Messi-led Argentina. Messi has been at his very best even at the age of 39 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup and will be the biggest threat to Tuhel’s side.
Tuchel was asked whether Lionel Messi is the greatest player of all time ahead of the FIFA World Cup semi-final. He said:
“One of them. I’m not the right person to ask all these greatest questions. Because I think there are so many different layers in football in so many different positions. But he is right up there, for sure.”
Argentina won the FIFA World Cup in 2022 and will be confident ahead of their clash against England. Lionel Messi has never played against England across his glittering career and will be hoping to help his side win the game and reach another FIFA World Cup final.
Edited by Snehanjan Banerjee