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It offers a rare glimpse into the mind of a footballing genius — how he plays, if not entirely how he thinks.

In the brief remarks Lionel Messi has shared about England versus Argentina, he has spoken as though it is simply another major encounter. This is not a psychological ploy, unlike coach Lionel Scaloni’s efforts to downplay any talk surrounding the Falklands.

You can see this same approach from Messi in entirely different contexts.

In the Amazon documentary series about Diego Simeone, Living Match by Match, there’s an entire episode devoted to the famous 1998 World Cup last-16 clash. The episode features voices ranging from Javier Zanetti to a smiling David Beckham — and even Messi himself.

The Argentine icon, a long-time friend of Simeone, is included primarily because of who he is. He doesn’t actually say much. While others discuss the emotion and intensity of England versus Argentina, perhaps the greatest Argentine player ever simply recalls: “I very much remember the 1998 World Cup that I watched a lot, with my family. We went out to play football on the street after the match.”

And that’s all he says.

In other words, the drama and spectacle of that famous fixture didn’t deeply affect the young Messi, then aged 11, except to make him want to play football himself. Messi just plays.

That is, in fact, what makes him so dangerous for England as they prepare to face possibly the greatest footballer of all time for the first time. The occasion or the opponent means little to Messi; it’s simply another step in his endless pursuit of football’s highest honour. As those close to him often remark: “He treats a match against Cincinnati away on a Wednesday night the same as he does Brazil.”

It is only the World Cup itself that elevates his emotions, explaining those tears after the game against Egypt. Since Qatar, every World Cup match feels like a bonus, yet he knows each one could be his last — and he wants to extend the journey as long as possible.

Those around him are certainly hoping this meeting with England will not be his final appearance.

It is one of football’s peculiarities that England have never faced Messi before — a result of tournament draws, club priorities, and the politics of international football. It feels almost unfortunate that one of the sport’s great nations never met one of its greatest players at his peak, though perhaps a few defenders are secretly relieved.

Even those humiliated by Messi later describe it as an honour. That’s exactly how Nico O’Reilly and Jordan Pickford see it.

“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” said O’Reilly. “I can’t wait for the challenge.”

Pickford added enthusiastically, “It’s great to finally face him after all these years, having watched him since I was a kid.”

They can take inspiration from predecessors like Ashley Cole, who relished such challenges. England’s legendary left-back remains proud that Messi never scored against him in club football.

Interestingly, Messi has started drifting back toward that same flank in this World Cup, particularly in moments when he looks to seize control of matches late on.

And while Messi at 39 is not quite the same as the electrifying version from his early twenties — or even at 35 — his longevity has enhanced one timeless aspect of his game: his footballing intellect.

For all the talk about his dazzling skills and technical brilliance, what truly astonishes defenders is his extraordinary football intelligence.

They describe it as something beyond ordinary comprehension — as though he has a sense of precognition.

Many compare it to scenes from The Matrix.

That perception stems from those famous early-match moments when Messi seems to wander idly around the pitch — a habit that now often extends deeper into games. In reality, he’s analysing every movement, mapping out the game: observing defensive patterns, identifying weak links, and calculating where the spaces will open.

Scientific studies show that elite athletes possess enhanced brain functions related to spatial awareness and rapid information processing — and Messi exemplifies this perfectly.

The chaotic 3-2 victory over Egypt was a perfect case study. For 73 minutes, Messi looked subdued, even missing a penalty that summed up his quiet display. But he was simply waiting. Unlike Erling Haaland, who pounces when a chance arises, Messi waits for the precise moment. In the 73rd minute, moving purposefully to the left flank, he suddenly burst forward at full pace, as if he were 23 again. The game transformed. From that same area, he delivered the cross for Cristiano Romero’s goal and then darted in to score the equaliser himself.

That is why Thomas Tuchel knows all too well that when Messi appears inactive, he may actually be at his most dangerous.

It is a unique challenge for any manager — Messi’s mere presence reshapes the entire game. Teams must plan every detail around him, aware that a single lapse can be fatal.

Back when he managed Chelsea, during the week Messi famously dismantled Bayern Munich’s Jerome Boateng in the 2014–15 Champions League semi-final, Jose Mourinho explained the approach required. “Every time I was thinking about how best collectively – I am not saying stop him – give him a difficult match,” Mourinho said. “I think this is the correct word. It is not about stopping him, but giving him a difficult match. That is the best you can do against him.”

That is exactly the challenge England now face. Tuchel may have more technically gifted and athletic players than Argentina, but he doesn’t have Messi — no matter how outstanding Jude Bellingham might be.

The one remaining weakness in Messi’s game is a familiar one: penalties. There’s a real chance this clash could go the distance and be decided by a shootout. Given that Messi has missed four of his eight World Cup spot-kicks, even football’s near-perfect player has a 50-50 chance of faltering.

Is that how this story will conclude?

“It wouldn’t even cross my mind to go and tell him not to,” Scaloni said. “Let him do whatever he wants out on the pitch.”

By full-time, after all, Messi usually understands the game better than anyone.

England are finally about to discover what it truly means to face him.