Forward Madison 4:0 Richmond Kickers NJ/NY Gotham FC W 1:0 Washington Spirit W The Strongest 2:1 Oriente Petrolero Botafogo U20 1:0 Santos U20 RB Bragantino U20 3:1 Athletico PR U20 Barcelona SC 1:1 Guayaquil City FC Houston Dynamo 2:1 America de Cali Real Salt Lake 4:1 Burnley Kawasaki Frontale 0:0 Vanraure Hachinohe Indonesia W 1:1 Cambodia W Fulham United 1:3 Cumberland United GKS Katowice 1:1 Raków Częstochowa Ekibastuz 0:0 Shakhter Karagandy Thimphu 0:0 Paro FC Copenhagen 0:0 Viborg Puskas Academy 0:0 Başakşehir

At 39 years old, Lionel Messi is not the fastest player on the field. He spends most of the game walking. But against England, that walking became a weapon. Instead of tiring himself out, he used his brain to read the game and strike at the perfect moments.

Why Walking Helped Him Control the Game

Messi’s walking isn’t lazy—it’s strategic. By conserving energy, he can explode into action when it matters. Against England’s strong defenders, he stayed calm and waited for gaps. When they rushed, he dribbled past them with ease.

  • He walked to study the defense’s movements.
  • He saved his energy for quick bursts of speed.
  • His teammates looked for him when they needed a smart pass.

How England’s Physicality Backfired

England prides itself on being strong and physical. Usually, that works against older players. But Messi’s intelligence made their strength useless. He didn’t try to outmuscle them—he outsmarted them. By moving into spaces they didn’t expect, he created scoring chances.

Key Moments of the Masterclass

During the game, Messi delivered a goal and an assist that showed his genius. He picked up the ball near midfield, walked past two defenders, and then fired a shot into the top corner. Later, he set up a teammate with a perfect pass that split the entire defense.

Age Is Just a Number for Messi

This performance proved that football is not just about speed or strength. It’s about reading the game and making the right decisions. Messi, at 39, showed the world that his mind is still sharper than anyone else’s. England learned that a walking genius can still be unstoppable.

Sign In

Sign in to save favourites, sync across devices, and more.

Don't have an account? Create one