Guillem Balague’s central claim is clear: Argentina has been constructed in a way that gets the best from Lionel Messi. That argument, published by BBC Sport, is the starting point for assessing how the team’s personnel and tactics create space for Messi to influence big matches, including the looming World Cup semi-final with England.
This piece summarises Balague’s case, then examines three practical areas: how the squad is built, the tactical setup that gives Messi freedom, and the semi-final implications for England. It ends with short watchpoints on what comes next before kick-off.
Balague’s case: the squad and Messi
Balague frames Argentina’s recent form as the product of deliberate squad choices around Messi rather than simple reliance on his individual brilliance. He uses the phrase “Mates, mate and freedom” to capture the mixture of chemistry and tactical allowance that, he argues, releases Messi to do his best work.
The central idea is not that Messi does everything. Instead, players around him take on clearly defined roles so he can operate in pockets of space. He is not tasked with carrying defensive structure or excessive pressing responsibilities.
That shifts the story from a single-player narrative to a collective design. Structure is used to amplify Messi’s strengths while covering limitations in other phases of play. Training clarity and role discipline matter as much as individual talent.
Tactical setup that gives Lionel Messi freedom
The most concrete tactical thread in Balague’s piece is how Argentina organise to create pockets for Messi between the lines. Midfielders and wide players hold positions that pull opponents wide or deeper, leaving corridors for Messi to receive and turn.
Two features stand out. First, a midfield balance that accepts some territorial sacrifice in exchange for positional discipline. That discipline limits moments when Messi must track back into congested defensive tasks.
Second, wide attackers who stretch defences and also drift inside to form overloads. Those movements open angles. They give Messi the time and lanes to pick passes or carry the ball into dangerous areas.
The approach gives Messi tactical “freedom” — the autonomy to choose when to drop, when to run in behind, and when to act as the focal point of transitions. It is a considered compromise: the team may cede certain positional advantages to create moments of high attacking value.
Crucially, it depends on less glamorous work. Holding midfielders who keep balance, full-backs who time forward runs, and forwards who press selectively all contribute to a system that allows Messi to flourish.
What this means for the England World Cup semi-final
For England, the tactical task is simple to state but hard to execute: limit Lionel Messi’s time and space without opening the lanes Argentina depend on. High pressing risks leaving gaps in behind. A deep block hands Messi room between the lines.
England must manage triggers. Which moments do they press? When do they compact centrally? Those decisions will shape whether Messi finds quick combinations or is forced into low-probability attempts from distance.
Matchups to watch include England’s midfield double-pivot and how it handles Argentina’s linking runners. England will also need to decide whether to assign reactive markers at key moments or to force Messi into wider channels where he is less dangerous.
Balague’s reading suggests man-marking alone will not suffice. England should aim to cut off the progressive passes that feed Messi and to control the timing of transitions that create his favoured pockets.
Background: how the Argentina squad was shaped
Selection shows a preference for role clarity over positional novelty. Coaches prioritised players who understand when to hold width, when to rotate, and when to press. That consistency builds predictable patterns opponents can study — but it also protects Messi.
Newer call-ups have been integrated into a system that values balance. Some players provide defensive cover. Others create width. A small core link play into Messi. The result is cohesion forged through repeated training and minutes together.
The group can sustain defensive shape while generating quick vertical interplay suited to Messi. It is an approach developed across sessions, not an improvised matchday tweak.
What comes next
In the run-up to the semi-final, the tactical watchpoints are straightforward. First, monitor Argentina’s starting XI to see which midfield profile is chosen. That will indicate how much protection Messi gets.
Second, watch for subtle in-game role shifts. Argentina use fluid rotations to create Messi pockets; those rotations matter more than a single formation sheet.
Third, expect England to rehearse mixed responses: testing pressing triggers and compact-block shapes. Their chosen approach to Messi’s movement will largely determine the match tempo and the kinds of chances each side creates.
Finally, substitutions are decisive. Argentina’s ability to introduce a different runner or playmaker late can change the channels Messi finds. Small personnel tweaks can alter the balance of spaces quickly.
Analyst note
As Balague puts it in his BBC Sport analysis, the combination of close teammates and tactical leeway — summed up in “Mates, mate and freedom” — is the practical foundation of Argentina’s plan. That reading interprets how structure and star interact, not a definitive prediction of a single match outcome.
FAQ
How is Argentina built around Lionel Messi?
Selection and positional choices prioritise players who provide defensive cover, width and predictable rotations. Those roles create space and passing lanes for Messi to receive, turn and link play.
Will this tactic work against England?
It can, but success depends on in-game control of space. England must limit Messi’s time between the lines and prevent Argentina from creating central passing combinations.
What should fans watch in the semi-final?
Watch Argentina’s midfield shape, how wide players drift, and whether Messi is given license to drop deep. Also watch substitutions that alter running channels.
Sources
Analysis based on Guillem Balague, BBC Sport — “Mates, mate and freedom – how Argentina got the best out of Messi”. Original article: bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cx2j24y9jzyo.
