Thomas Tuchel said he has considered using man-marking against Lionel Messi on Wednesday when England meets Argentina in the World Cup semifinals.

"I was thinking about this, if we do a proper old school man-mark [on Messi]," Tuchel said in his prematch news conference on Tuesday.

"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 has eight goals and two assists during the 2026 World Cup.

"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," Tuchel added. "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."