Joe Cole has sent a bold and confident warning to Lionel Messi ahead of England’s highly anticipated quarter-final clash with Argentina at the 2026 World Cup.
The former England midfielder, known for his passionate punditry, did not hold back when sharing his thoughts on the upcoming match.
“We have too much pace for Argentina’s strengths, we are going to beat them, I can feel it in my bones,” Cole said.
He went on to make a strong prediction about Messi himself.
“We’re going to put him (Messi) to bed. We are going to put him to bed, 100%.”
Cole then made an even bigger claim about England’s tournament ambitions.
“I am saying it right now, England will teach the Cup final.”
His comments have already gone viral, sparking a huge debate among football fans worldwide. Many England supporters have praised Cole for his confidence, while Argentine fans have hit back, reminding everyone of Messi’s legendary status and Argentina’s status as defending champions.
Context of the Clash
England and Argentina are set to meet in what promises to be one of the biggest matches of the 2026 World Cup. Both teams have shown strong form throughout the tournament, with Messi leading Argentina’s charge for a second consecutive title and England, under Thomas Tuchel, looking to end their long wait for a major trophy.
Cole’s words reflect the growing belief in the England camp that they have the tools to overcome one of the world’s best teams. The pace and athleticism of players like Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, and Phil Foden are seen as key weapons against Argentina’s more experienced but perhaps less explosive side.
Fan Reactions
The reaction on social media has been mixed but highly engaged. England fans have flooded timelines with support for Cole’s prediction, while Argentine supporters have dismissed the comments as typical English arrogance.
One popular fan account posted: “Joe Cole is feeling it in his bones? We’ll see who’s feeling it after 90 minutes.”
Another replied: “Messi has heard it all before. England will learn the hard way.”
What The Players Are Saying
England captain Harry Kane has remained more measured in public, focusing on respect for Argentina while expressing confidence in his own team.
Messi, as expected, has stayed quiet on the matter, letting his football do the talking as Argentina aim to reach the semi-finals.
The match is expected to be one of the highlights of the tournament, with both sets of fans eagerly awaiting what promises to be a memorable night in Atlanta.
Joe Cole’s fiery comments have added extra spice to an already mouth-watering fixture.
