Lionel Messi is the ultimate puzzle that refuses to yield its secrets. As Argentina face off against England in their World Cup semi-final, Gareth Southgate and his team are facing a defensive nightmare – one man who can change the course of a match with a single burst of speed.
Messi's mastery of the game has few parallels. He conserves energy like a fine-tuned sports car, waiting for the perfect moment to unleash his explosive acceleration. The stats back it up: he's spent an astonishing 64.8% of his time at low speeds – more than Kane, Mbappé, and Haaland combined. It's a clever trick that leaves defenders grasping at air, only for Messi to spring into action when the opportunity arises.
This strategic approach reaps rewards on the pitch. Messi has outdone all comers in key passes from ball carries of over five metres – 22 shots and 20 key passes is an unprecedented tally. While his younger rivals might outrun him, they can't match his tactical nous. In the quarter-final against Switzerland, Messi registered a staggering 85 sprints per 90 minutes, outpacing Haaland's 74 and staying neck-and-neck with Mbappé's 97.
But when Messi does shift into top gear, his speed becomes almost impossible to contain. His fastest recorded sprint this World Cup reached an incredible 30.9 km/h – faster than any of his Argentine teammates, and comparable to the speeds registered by England's own pace-setters, Kane and Bellingham.
Nico O'Reilly may have topped England's speed charts at 35.6 km/h, but it won't be enough to keep Messi at bay. Effective defensive play will require more than just raw pace – it'll need a crystal-clear understanding of Messi's movements and an uncanny ability to anticipate his next move.