Thomas Tuchel considers 'old-school' plan to stop Lionel Messi: 'Man-marking crossed my mind'

England head coach Thomas Tuchel revealed that he had considered man-marking Lionel Messi.

Updated on: Jul 15, 2026, 08:05:07 IST

Written by Neelav Chakravarti

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Thomas Tuchel knows the threat posed by Lionel Messi as England gear up to face Argentina in their FIFA World Cup semi-final. Argentina have scored 17 goals at this year's World Cup, out of which eight have been scored by Lionel Messi, a joint-high for the competition, alongside Kylian Mbappe.

Thomas Tuchel spoke about facing Lionel Messi. (Getty Images via AFP)

Speaking at the pre-match press conference, England head coach Thomas Tuchel revealed that he had considered man-marking the Argentina skipper.

Also Read: 'You don't do what you have to do, you don't win': Kylian Mbappe pulls no punches after Spain defeat

‘Old-school man-mark on Lionel Messi’: Thomas Tuchel

"I was thinking about this, if we do a proper old-school man-mark [on Messi]," he said.

"I'm not sure if we follow through with this idea but it crossed my mind. I think everyone knows the spaces where he wants to show up. It's just like, you analyse the matches, you feel he just sees stuff earlier than anyone else on the field."

Messi didn't score against Switzerland in Argentina's quarter-final match, but did get an assist for Alexis Mac Allister's opener. It saw him become the second player on record (since 1966) to get 10-plus goal contributions in multiple World Cups (2022 and 2026), after Mbappe (2022 and 2026).

"It's just like the ball drops to him, he finds the gap, he makes himself the space for his left foot and then executes the solution on the very highest level," said Tuchel.

"I think we found some patterns in their game of course but if we close the patterns he will find a new one or create a new one.

"It is his super strength, it is just what it is. It is an exciting setup, it is very unique to play against the reigning champions, it is very unique to play against Leo Messi and his team. It is unique to play with England against Argentina. It is just a big match in every department," he added.

This will be the sixth World Cup meeting between Argentina and England. Only Germany (seven) and the Netherlands (six) have faced Argentina as often or more often at the tournament.

England has lost only two of their 14 internationals against Argentina, winning six and drawing the other six. One of the draws saw them fall to a penalty shootout defeat in the last 16 in 1998.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Neelav Chakravarti
Neelav Chakravarti has been part of the digital sports team at Hindustan Times since 2022, where he covers a wide range of disciplines, including chess, cricket, football, and Olympic sports. Working in a fast-paced digital newsroom, he regularly handles live blogs, breaking updates, and trending stories, combining speed with clarity to keep readers informed in real time. Chess remains both a professional beat and a personal passion for Neelav, and he closely tracks major international tournaments, player narratives, and emerging talents. He is particularly fascinated by the patience, calculation, and strategic depth the game demands, often exploring the psychological side of competition in his writing. Beyond sports journalism, Neelav has a deep interest in visual storytelling and filmmaking, actively participating in film festivals and engaging with independent cinema. He is especially drawn to films that capture the subtleties of everyday life and human relationships, appreciating storytelling that balances realism with emotional depth. This creative interest complements his approach to sports coverage, where he enjoys highlighting the human stories behind performances and results. A history enthusiast by academic training, Neelav holds a bachelor’s degree in the subject and maintains a sustained interest in ancient and medieval Indian history, particularly in cultural and social transitions across eras. His curiosity about the past often shapes his perspective on contemporary narratives and long-form storytelling. When he isn’t tracking scores or developing storylines, Neelav enjoys spending time over the chessboard, relaxing with his cats, or listening to the Empire podcast by Anita Anand and William Dalrymple. He also enjoys reading long-form sports writing that explores the emotional and cultural layers of sport, while maintaining a quiet routine that balances reading, reflection, and occasional time with friends.Read More

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