Why Didn't Lionel Messi Play in Argentina's Last Match Against England?

Lionel Messi is set to face England for the first time with Argentina. The reason he missed the previous meeting between the two nations dates back to the earliest days of his international career.

Messi is finally set for a long-awaited showdown

Lionel Messi has played in six FIFA World Cups, faced many of international football's biggest powers and built one of the greatest careers the sport has ever seen.

Yet there is one major opponent he has never faced while wearing Argentina's senior national team jersey: England.

Should the two nations meet in the semifinals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, it would mark Messi's first-ever appearance against the Three Lions.

The last meeting between Argentina and England came more than two decades ago, when Messi was already part of the national team setup—but never stepped onto the field.

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A red card in his debut kept him out

Argentina and England last met on November 12, 2005, in an international friendly played in Geneva, Switzerland, as both teams prepared for the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

At the time, Messi was just 18 years old. He had recently won the FIFA U-20 World Cup and was beginning to establish himself at Barcelona while earning his first opportunities with Argentina under José Pekerman.

His senior debut, however, could hardly have gone worse.

Messi was sent off less than a minute after coming on against Hungary, receiving a red card that resulted in a one-match suspension in international friendlies.

Because of that suspension, he was forced to watch Argentina's match against England from the sidelines despite traveling with the squad.

England won a memorable five-goal thriller

Without Messi, Argentina and England produced an entertaining encounter.

Hernán Crespo gave Argentina the lead before Wayne Rooney equalized for England. Walter Samuel restored Argentina's advantage early in the second half, seemingly putting the South Americans in control.

But Michael Owen scored twice in the closing minutes to complete a dramatic 3-2 comeback victory for England.

Four days later, Messi returned to action and started in Argentina's 3-0 win over Qatar, but his chance to face England had already slipped away.

Two players from that match remain part of Argentina's setup

While none of the players who featured that day are still active for Argentina, two starters from the 2005 meeting continue to play important roles within the national team.

Walter Samuel and Roberto Ayala, who formed Argentina's central defensive partnership that afternoon in Geneva, are now members of Lionel Scaloni's coaching staff.

More than 20 years after missing his opportunity, Messi is finally on the verge of facing England for the first time. This time, however, the stakes could not be higher—with a place in the FIFA World Cup Final potentially on the line.