In a career defined by multiples, whether league titles, Champions Leagues, Copa Americas or Ballon d'Ors, it's something of an anomaly that Lionel Messi has never played against England.
He gets the chance to tick that box on Wednesday when his Argentina play England in Atlanta for a place in the 2026 World Cup final.
It's a heavyweight clash, one that the Argentina Football Association poetically described as "the match fate owed Messi".
Messi, 39, has 205 caps for Argentina, but only once have Argentina played England during his international career, which began in 2005.
That was a friendly in Geneva in November 2005. Argentina lost 3-2 as Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen, who scored twice, overturned goals from Hernan Crespo and Walter Samuel. Messi, however, missed out after being sent off on his international debut against Hungary earlier that year.
"It's special because they're a great team, a powerhouse, and it's always nice to play a team like that, a match of this kind," Messi told reporters after Argentina's 3-1 quarter-final victory over Switzerland in extra time on Saturday.
"We need to rest because we come from a lot of wear and tear, which the group obviously feels, and arrive in the best possible condition to keep doing what we've been doing: competing," he added.
Argentina arrived in North America as world champions. Messi guided La Albiceleste to their third World Cup triumph in Qatar four years ago after beating France on penalties in what many regard as the greatest final of all time.
They got their title defence off to an impressive start, winning all three Group J matches. Messi lit up the tournament from the off, scoring a hat-trick against Algeria, two against Austria and one against Jordan.
The knockout rounds have been far more taxing. Argentina needed extra time to see off Cape Verde in the Round of 32, a three-goal blitz in 14 minutes to overturn a 2-0 deficit to Egypt in the last-16 and extra time and an extra man to put down Switzerland in the quarter-finals.
Messi contributed with an assist for Alexis Mac Allister's opening goal against Switzerland, but it was the first World Cup match since Argentina's 2-0 group-stage win over Poland at Qatar 2022 in which Messi did not score – 10 World Cup games ago.
England topped their group with wins over Croatia and Panama, with a draw against Ghana sandwiched between. They came back from an early goal to beat DR Congo 2-1 in the Round of 32, eliminated co-hosts Mexico 3-2 after playing most of the second half with 10 men, and beat Norway 2-1 after extra time in their quarter-final on Saturday.
"England can outrun Argentina but they just have that little genius Messi. They all play for him. Everyone should be excited," BBC pundit Micah Richards said. "Marking him is impossible because he doesn't run back."
The England clash will add another chapter to one of football's most emotionally charged rivalries, shaped by decades of sporting drama and political tension, while giving Messi a place in a fixture that has produced some of Argentina's most enduring football memories.
Best photos of the 2026 World Cup - in pictures
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US President Donald Trump and Fifa president Gianni Infantino alongside the 2026 World Cup champions: Spain. Reuters -
Ferran Torres scores Spain's first goal past Argentina's Emiliano Martinez in the 106th minute of extra time at the World Cup final. Reuters -
Argentina's Lionel Messi after losing out to Spain in the final. Reuters -
England's players with their medals, after winning the third-place play-off against France in Miami. AFP -
French striker Kylian Mbappe challenges English defender Ezri Konsa at the Miami Stadium. AFP -
England forward Bukayo Saka, centre, celebrates after scoring his team's fifth goal. AFP -
Enzo Fernandez of Argentina celebrates scoring the equaliser against England at Atlanta Stadium. AFP -
Anthony Gordon scores the opening goal for England against Argentina. EPA -
Spain's players celebrate after beating France to reach the World Cup final. Reuters -
Spanish forward Lamine Yamal, left, is challenged by French defender Theo Hernandez in Arlington. AFP -
France forward Kylian Mbappe shows his disappointment during the semi-final defeat to Spain. AFP -
Mikel Merino celebrates scoring his team's second goal against Belgium in Inglewood. AFP -
Messi controls the ball against Switzerland's Granit Xhaka during the quarter-final match between Argentina and Switzerland in Kansas City. AFP -
Jude Bellingham celebrates after winning the quarter-final match between Norway and England in Miami. AFP -
France talisman Kylian Mbappe was on target in his team's 2-0 quarter-final victory over Morocco. EPA -
Gessime Yassine looks dejected after the match as Morocco's World Cup comes to an end. Reuters -
Fans in Buenos Aires celebrate Argentina's victory against Egypt. Getty Images -
Lionel Messi celebrates scoring his team's second goal against Egypt in Atlanta. AFP -
Gregor Kobel of Switzerland saves Cucho Hernandez's penalty for Colombia in the shoot-out in Vancouver. AFP -
Portugal's Bernardo Silva is left in disbelief after a missed chance against Spain, in Arlington. Reuters -
Cristiano Ronaldo is dejected after the match against Spain, as his Portugal team are eliminated from the World Cup. Reuters -
Belgium's Hans Vanaken scores their third goal past Matt Freese of the US, in Seattle. Reuters -
Belgium's Charles De Ketelaere scores their first goal against the US. Reuters -
Australian referee Alireza Faghani shows a red card to England defender Jarell Quansah against Mexico. AFP -
Erling Haaland scores his and Norway's second goal against Brazil. AFP
