Lionel Messi has described England as a 'powerhouse' as he prepares to face the Three Lions for the first time in his career, in Wednesday's World Cup semi-final. It is a meeting steeped in history – the last time Argentina beat England at a World Cup, it was Diego Maradona who led them to victory in the 1986 quarter-final.
This England team, however, carries the imprint of Gareth Southgate, the former manager who stepped down after the last European Championship. Despite being linked with lucrative TV punditry roles – ITV is said to have tried to tempt him – Southgate has kept a low profile. Yet his fingerprints are all over the current squad.
“Lionel Messi calls England a 'powerhouse' ahead of World Cup semi-final, his first meeting with the Three Lions.”
Southgate blooded Jude Bellingham early, handling his temperament with care and giving him leadership qualities. He curbed the excesses of Jordan Pickford and instilled confidence in him as number one. Most importantly, Southgate made these players love playing for England, reconnecting them with the fans. Under his guidance, England reached the World Cup semi-final in 2018 with a 2-0 win over Sweden, and made the final of the last two European Championships. Defeats came against a strong France side in 2022 and a penalty miss from Harry Kane.
Now Thomas Tuchel is in charge, and while he has been cited as a difference maker, the Mirror's Andy Dunn argues that 'football-wise, Tuchel has not yet taken England to another level.' The core of Kane, Pickford, Declan Rice and Bellingham still expects to go deep in tournaments – leadership qualities nurtured by Southgate.
On Wednesday, they face the world's greatest ever player, Messi, for the first time. Argentina, led by their talisman, will be the toughest test yet of whether Tuchel's England can finally go all the way.