India News

By Aarav Reddy — 16 July 2026 — 3 min read

Lionel Messi, at 39 years old, continues to be a central figure for Argentina, showcasing his enduring impact in major tournaments. His ability to adapt his playstyle has become a significant asset for his team.

In a recent match against England, Messi demonstrated his strategic intelligence. Initially, England’s defensive strategy, involving players like Elliot Anderson, Jude Bellingham, and Declan Rice, aimed to restrict his movement in central areas. This approach limited Messi’s meaningful efforts on goal during the first half.

England took the lead in the match after Anthony Gordon converted a cross from Morgan Rogers. Following this, England’s tactical shift to a deeper defensive line allowed Argentina more possession, which Messi used to his advantage. He began to drift wider to the right touchline, creating new opportunities and opening up spaces for his teammates.

Messi’s influence grew as the match progressed. He touched the ball 94 times, contributing to nearly every significant Argentine attack. Despite not scoring himself, he created four chances, with two of these being clear-cut opportunities. His dribbling, with nine successful attempts out of 11, focused on manipulating defenders and creating passing lanes rather than solely beating them.

The equalizer for Argentina came from a move where Messi received possession on the right, then delivered a pass to Enzo Fernandez, who subsequently scored. Later, in stoppage time, Messi maintained possession and delivered a cross towards the far post, which Lautaro Martinez converted to secure the win for Argentina.

This performance highlighted Messi’s evolving role, moving from a primary goalscorer to a key orchestrator. He completed all 120 minutes of the match, being involved in both decisive moments. His two assists in this game brought his World Cup tally to 12, alongside 21 goals across six tournaments.

Messi’s World Cup Journey and Longevity

Messi’s journey in the World Cup has been extensive. He is participating in his sixth World Cup tournament, a record he shares with Cristiano Ronaldo. He turned 39 during this tournament.

In the current World Cup 2026, Messi has scored eight goals in six matches and provided two assists. This surpasses his previous best of seven goals in the 2022 World Cup. His total of goals across the last two tournaments underscores his continued high-level performance.

Before the quarter-final match against Switzerland, Messi had scored 125 goals in 204 international matches. In the quarter-final against Switzerland, Argentina advanced to the semi-final after scoring two goals in extra time. Goals from Julián Alvarez and Lautaro Martínez secured the victory, though Messi did not score in that particular match.

Messi’s career since turning 30 has been notable. As of June 14, 2026, he has scored club goals and national team goals. Of his 21 World Cup goals, 16 have been scored after his 30th birthday.

Upcoming Challenges

Argentina is set to face Spain in the upcoming final. This match will feature Messi against a new generation of Spanish talent, including Lamine Yamal, Pau Cubarsi, and Dani Olmo.

The semi-final match against England took place in Atlanta on July 15. The final is scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Source: indiatoday.in