"One more step towards the final!", Messi's message.
Images from the Argentine Football Association (AFA) show Messi displaying his usual composure ahead of the highly anticipated semi-final against England.
Messi often appears pensive before big matches.
Photo: Reuters
On the training pitch, the 39-year-old star sometimes stops and sits on a ball specially made for the 2026 World Cup semi-final, deep in thought and seemingly contemplating the magical passes he will execute in the match.
This is a familiar image of Messi before every big match, and it has been a recurring theme since his time playing for Barcelona in Champions League finals, and more recently in Copa America and World Cup finals.
On his Instagram account, Messi also posted a short but powerful message: "One more step towards the final!"
"Messi's composure before crucial matches often leads to sublime performances. The England-Argentina semi-final was truly the dance Messi needed for his 'final dance' at this year's World Cup," according to the Spanish newspaper MARCA .
Before the match, Messi and his teammates' relaxed and confident demeanor was further demonstrated through a traditional Argentinian beef barbecue. "This will give them extra strength and morale," according to ESPN Argentina.
Barbecues have become a tradition, and whenever they face pressure or unfair attacks, these gatherings further strengthen the camaraderie among the Argentinian players, the channel added.
The more they are attacked, the stronger Messi and his teammates become, according to former Argentinian player Delgado.
Photo: Reuters
According to former player Chelito Delgado: "The Argentina team is very strong mentally, and the accusations of refereeing 'favoritism' only strengthen the team's unity."
He added: "For me, Argentina won the matches fairly on the pitch. The team became stronger because of those accusations. Argentina endured in most matches and defended very well. When they needed to drop deep, they did. When attacked, they endured but handled it well." Delgado is a former Argentina national team player from 2003-2005, who also played for Lyon (France).
Coach Scaloni will make changes; American referee to officiate England-Argentina match.
American referee Ismail Elfath and his compatriots officiated the heated semi-final match between England and Argentina.
Photo: Reuters
FIFA has announced that the American refereeing team, representing the co-host nation of the 2026 World Cup, will officiate the England-Argentina semi-final match (taking place at 2:00 AM on July 16th at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Atlanta).
Accordingly, the main referee is Ismail Elfath, and the assistant referees are all American, including Corey Parker and Kyle Atkins. However, the fourth official is Maurizio Mariani and the reserve linesman is Daniele Bindoni, both of whom are Italian.
The England-Argentina semi-final is expected to be a highly dramatic and challenging match. The decision to have an American refereeing team in charge will undoubtedly be scrutinized, especially given recent public opinion suggesting the referees may be biased towards Messi and the Argentinian team.
Meanwhile, according to speculation in the Argentinian press, coach Scaloni is likely to make major changes when Argentina faces England, with at least two changes in midfield, possibly starting in place of De Paul, with Giuliano Simeone or Nicolas Gonzalez.