Messi at 39 still defying logic
Messi is 39 years old and still performing at the highest level in a World Cup, with Gary Lineker describing it as 'defying logic'.
Snapshot · The Rest Is Football
England v Argentina & France v Spain - who reaches the final?
Explore episode
Jul 14, 2026
Where this was said
Messi's Record Against Premier League Clubs
At 23:15 · chapter starts 22:17
Gary Lineker reaches for the stats sheet and delivers a moment that stops the conversation. Game by game, club by club, he reads out Messi's Champions League record against Premier League sides: 3 goals and 3 assists against Chelsea in 10 games; 7 goals and 2 assists against Manchester City in 8 games; 9 goals and 1 assist against Arsenal in 6 games; 4 goals against United in 6 games; 2 goals against Liverpool in 4 games; 2 goals against Spurs in 2 games. Total: 33 goal involvements in 36 appearances. The myth that Messi never performed against English opposition is completely shredded — and Lineker notes the irony that despite all of this, Messi has never actually faced England at international level, making this semi-final a genuinely historic first.
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.
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.
Messi: 36 games, 33 goal involvements
Messi has 36 games against Premier League top clubs yielding 33 goal involvements, dismantling the myth that he hasn't performed against English opposition.
Messi: 7 goals in 8 games vs Man City
Messi scored 7 goals and added 2 assists in 8 games against Manchester City in European competition.
Messi: 9 goals in 6 games vs Arsenal
Messi scored 9 goals in just 6 games against Arsenal in Champions League encounters, part of an extraordinary record against Premier League sides.
Panel Predictions: England vs Argentina
Alan Shearer, Joe Cole, and Micah Richards all pick England to reach the final, citing midfield power and pace. Mikel John Obi is the lone voice for Argentina, arguing Messi's genius and Argentina's big-game experience will be the difference.
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