World Cup 2026: Two Number 10s, One Dream

More than two decades after England's 1-0 victory over Argentina in the group stage of the 2002 World Cup, the two teams finally meet again on the world's biggest stage. This time, however, all eyes are on two stars wearing the number 10 shirt—a legendary figure seeking the perfect final chapter to his career, and a young leader determined to end England's 60-year wait for a World Cup title.

At 39 years old, Lionel Messi remains the soul of Argentina's title defense. The "Albiceleste" captain is tied with Kylian Mbappe (France) for the Golden Boot race with eight goals, while also holding the record for the most goals in World Cup history with 21 strikes. His moments of brilliance have carried Argentina through tough matches against Cape Verde and Egypt to reach the semifinals. Notably, this will be the first time in Messi's career that he faces England in a World Cup.

Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford shared: "Messi has scored so many goals and created countless chances in his career. It's great to finally have the opportunity to face him." Coach Thomas Tuchel also expressed special respect for the Argentine superstar. According to the German tactician, what makes Messi dangerous is not just his goal-scoring ability but his footballing intelligence, which surpasses every other player on the pitch.
Coach Tuchel remarked: "We have studied Argentina's system and the areas where Messi usually appears very carefully. But even if you block his usual options, he can still create something completely new. That's the quality of a great player."

If Messi is the symbol of an era, then Jude Bellingham is becoming the face of England's future. The 23-year-old Real Madrid midfielder is having the best World Cup of his career, with six goals—including back-to-back braces against Mexico and Norway—playing a key role in leading the "Three Lions" back to the World Cup semifinals for the first time since 2018.
Few expected that before the tournament began, Bellingham's place in Tuchel's starting lineup was questioned. But within just a few weeks, he has become an irreplaceable asset. Tuchel stated: "Jude and Harry Kane have given everything. They are world-class players who consistently make a difference in this tournament."

On the Argentine side, coach Lionel Scaloni also acknowledged that Bellingham and Kane are the two biggest threats his team must face. The tactician said: "We are preparing to face two of the best players in the world. Argentina will have to find ways to limit their influence if we want to reach the final."

Beyond the technical aspects, the clash between England and Argentina always carries a unique historical weight. The two teams have produced classic World Cup matches, most notably the 1986 quarterfinal with Diego Maradona's two immortal goals: the controversial "Hand of God" and the solo run from midfield considered one of the greatest goals in football history. That memory is why this rivalry always holds a special appeal.

However, coach Tuchel insists England will not be influenced by the past. He emphasized: "England and Argentina have created many historic moments, but for us this is still just a football match. We are not talking about the past; we are focusing on what will happen on the pitch." Meanwhile, coach Scaloni believes Maradona's legendary goal will forever be a source of pride for Argentines, but the current team needs to write their own history.

The showdown in Atlanta (USA) at 2:00 AM on July 16 (Vietnam time) thus promises to be not only a tactical battle between two top-tier teams but also a duel between two icons of different football generations. On one side, Messi—pursuing his third consecutive World Cup final to cap off a glorious career with a perfect ending. On the other, Bellingham—the young leader carrying England's hopes of winning their first World Cup since 1966. Only one number 10 will go on to make history!