For two decades, Lionel Messi has faced nearly every footballing powerhouse on the planet. Yet one major opponent has remained conspicuously absent from his international résumé: England. That gap closes Wednesday in Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium, where Argentina's captain finally meets the Three Lions in a World Cup semi-final that carries echoes of a controversial debut and an unplayed friendly from 2005. Main Developments Messi's 200th cap for Argentina came during the group-stage victory over Algeria earlier in this tournament. Now 39, the Inter Miami forward has scored 21 World Cup goals from a record 32 appearances, leading all players after the quarter-finals by one ahead of France's Kylian Mbappe. Argentina advanced to the semi-finals by beating Switzerland in Kansas City. Messi did not score in that match, breaking a streak of nine consecutive World Cup games in which he had found the net, as Julian Alvarez took over the scoring duties instead. Read also: Lennox's Five-Wicket Haul Levels ODI Series for New Zealand England's likely starter at left-back, Nico O'Reilly, told BBC Radio 5 Live that facing Messi is a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity" and described him as "the best player to ever touch a football pitch." Background Messi's international career began inauspiciously in August 2005. Called up by coach Jose Pekerman for a friendly against Hungary in Budapest, the 18-year-old substituted for Lisandro Lopez in the 64th minute. Just 90 seconds later, he was sent off for what the referee deemed an elbow. Hernan Crespo later defended the teenager, saying a debutant with so much hope "can't be punished like that." That red card triggered a suspension that forced Messi to miss a friendly against England in Geneva three months later. The two nations have not met since, making Wednesday's semi-final the first encounter between Messi and the Three Lions in any competition. Any Argentina-England match inevitably evokes the 1986 World Cup quarter-final in Mexico City, when Diego Maradona scored both the infamous 'Hand of God' goal and a dazzling solo run. Messi has drawn comparisons to Maradona ever since leading Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar four years ago. Why It Matters Argentina are one win away from reaching their third final in four World Cups. A victory would put them on track to become the first team to retain the trophy since Brazil in 1962. For Messi, a third final would match the feat of Brazil's Cafu, who played in three consecutive finals from 1994 to 2002 — one more than even Maradona managed. The match also represents a rare generational crossover. Messi, likely in the final phase of his international career, faces an England side that includes players like O'Reilly who grew up watching him. "Getting to another semi-final is not a normal, mundane thing," Messi said. "We should really enjoy this because we don't know if it will happen again." What's Next The winner of Wednesday's semi-final advances to the World Cup final, where they will face the victor of the other semi-final match. Argentina's campaign has already seen them break multiple records, including Messi's consecutive scoring streak and his total World Cup appearances. Should Argentina reach the final, Messi would have the opportunity to add to his already unmatched World Cup legacy. For England, stopping him represents both a tactical challenge and a chance to write their own chapter in the sport's history.