Former England winger Chris Waddle does not expect to see Lionel Messi at the 2030 World Cup – and feels Thomas Tuchel can cause headaches for the Argentina defence on Wednesday.
England and Argentina saw off Norway and Switzerland, respectively, at the weekend to set up a mouthwatering World Cup 2026 semi-final clash on Wednesday night (8pm kick-off UK time).
Spain and France lock horns in the other semi-final on Tuesday night (8pm kick-off UK time), while the race for the Golden Boot is also heating up.
France star Kylian Mbappé and Argentina talisman Messi both have eight goals, with England duo Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham on six goals apiece.
Brilliant brace
Real Madrid star Bellingham bagged a brilliant brace to knock Norway out in a 2-1 win for Tuchel’s Three Lions on Saturday night.
Then Argentina needed extra time to roll past the Swiss and book a semi-final clash with England in Atlanta.
Messi was influential once again despite not getting on the scoresheet – but Waddle thinks the 39-year-old will step away from the international scene soon, because he will not force his Argentina colleagues to carry him on the pitch.
Messi’s limitations
During an exclusive interview with 10bet, Waddle said when asked if he thinks Messi will be playing at the next World Cup: “No, I don’t think he’ll play.
“He was back and forth about this tournament, saying he wasn’t sure if he wanted to play or if he was committed to it, before changing his mind toward the end of the season.
“The thing I like about Messi is he knows his limitations.
“If he thought the team would be better off without him, he would stand aside.
“I’d be very surprised if you see him at the next World Cup as a player.
“You may see him there as an Argentine ambassador, but not on the pitch.
“You’re talking four more years – no, this will be his last World Cup.”
READ MORE: World Cup 2026 round-up: Kylian Mbappe stars again as France beat Morocco in Boston
Defensive weakness
Waddle also believes England have the capabilities to breach Argentina’s defence, saying: “I do believe Argentina are not the best defensively.
“We know how good they are going forward with the players they’ve got, but defensively, I’m surprised a lot of teams haven’t got at them more.
“They lack a bit of pace and there’s not a lot of mobility back there.
“Their strength is going forward and keeping possession so you don’t have the ball.
“But if you’re brave enough to go at them, we saw the other day that they’re not that good defensively.
“I always said Argentina would get to the semi-finals, and it looks like England will take a lot of belief and confidence when they watch Argentina play and see that they can’t defend.”
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