Wayne Rooney has cautioned England ahead of their FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final against Argentina on Wednesday, arguing that Lionel Messi's reluctance to track back could be exploited — but warning that his match-winning quality makes him dangerous regardless.
Speaking as a pundit for BBC Sport's World Cup coverage, Rooney identified Messi's limited defensive contribution as a potential weak point in the Argentine setup. However, he was quick to stress that neutralising the forward demands total focus and seamless communication across the entire defence.
