Messi has never played England before
Despite a legendary career, Messi has never played against England in a competitive international fixture, making this semi-final a historic first encounter.
Snapshot · The Rest Is Football
England v Argentina & France v Spain - who reaches the final?
Explore episode
Jul 14, 2026
Where this was said
Can England Stop Messi? Mikel and Joe's Playing Experience
At 22:17 · chapter starts 18:10
This chapter is the emotional and intellectual heart of the England preview. Mikel John Obi speaks from lived experience: playing against Messi with Chelsea meant an entire week of tactical preparation, and every time they still felt powerless once the ball hit his feet. Joe Cole adds tactical nuance — in Messi's prime, if you ever had him one-on-one, the defender was gone, so you needed a supporting player behind the first defender at all times. Alan Shearer, who floats the idea of man-marking Messi, raises Jed Spence as a potential candidate for the role, prompting laughter and pushback. The panel acknowledges the rules of the game were different when Messi was younger, allowing more physical defending, but agree the principle of double-teaming still applies.
He's Not Messi — He's an Explosive Ball of Energy
Mbappé is not Messi, not Ronaldo — he is a different kind of force entirely. Joe Cole argues that Mourinho's key job will be to stop Mbappé overcomplicating things and remind him that pure explosive running is what makes him lethal.
How Do You Stop Messi? Everyone Has Failed
Mikel John Obi and Joe Cole recall their playing days when preparing to face Messi at Chelsea meant entire training weeks devoted to stopping him. The conclusion was always the same: you need two or three men near him at all times, because one-on-one you have no chance.
Messi's Record Against Premier League Clubs
Gary Lineker rattles off Messi's Champions League record against English clubs: 9 goals in 6 games against Arsenal, 7 goals in 8 games against Man City. In 36 games against Premier League's elite, he has 33 goal involvements — and has never even played England.
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