As the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final approaches with England set to face Argentina, former Chelsea captain John Terry cautioned that the Three Lions cannot solely concentrate on Lionel Messi.
Terry recognized Messi’s brilliance but underscored that Argentina has a seasoned lineup, asserting that England’s team outmatches the current world champions.
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He noted that Messi frequently moves into spaces that complicate life for defenders.
However, he warned that concentrating exclusively on the iconic forward opens opportunities for Argentina’s other experienced playmakers to exploit weaknesses in the English backline.
“It’s extremely challenging to halt him when he’s determined; he can conjure moments of magic at any instant.
“And if you grant him time and room anywhere on the pitch, he’ll take advantage, so complete focus is necessary because he’s always drifting into zones that create difficulties for defenders.
“We’ve been aggressively attacking in nearly all our matches, while opponents have typically adopted a defensive stance against us. He tends to remain high up the pitch, making him hard to mark.
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“We cannot just focus on Messi. While they may not be an outstanding team, I believe they have a number of excellent individuals with a wealth of experience.”
Terry added: “In terms of individual talent, I believe we are significantly stronger than this Argentina squad.”
