Lip readers have revealed what Lionel Messi told his Argentina teammates after they came across Jordan Pickford’s penalty notes during Wednesday’s thrilling World Cup semi-final against England at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Argentina were trailing 1-0 in the closing stages after Anthony Gordon had given England the lead in the second half.
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As the game edged toward the final whistle with the possibility of a penalty shootout growing, Nicolás González reportedly spotted Pickford’s water bottle, which had handwritten notes detailing how to deal with penalties from different Argentina players.
Based on footage reviewed by lip readers, González showed the bottle to Messi, defender Marcos Senesi, and one of Argentina’s coaching staff, The Tourchline reports.
“Look what I found. It has notes on Lautaro, Julián…” González said.
Buernos dias kochani.
Z Bitwy o Atlantę Anglicy uciekali tak szybko, że gubili po drodze swoje fanty.
I jednym z nich był bidon Pickforda, na którym miał rozpisane jak w Argentynie strzelają rzuty karne.
Messi i spółka mieli niezły ubaw😉pic.twitter.com/wSFwYHx8p3
— Michał Borowy (@MiBorowy) July 16, 2026
A member of the backroom staff replied: “Yes, all the players are on there.”
Clearly astonished, Messi responded: “What?! But what do the notes mean?”
The staff member then asked Senesi: “Senesi, you read it… You speak English.”
Senesi examined the notes and explained: “It says which way the goalkeeper should dive…”
Messi then wanted to know if the instructions were about Pickford himself, and Senesi replied:
“Yes. For you, Leo, it says you fake to the left but shoot to the right.”
Messi smiled at the revelation and remarked: “The goalkeeper must have studied how I take my penalties then.” His expression showed genuine surprise.
In the end, Pickford’s penalty guide was never put to use.
Argentina produced a dramatic late comeback, with Enzo Fernández firing a brilliant curling effort from around 20 yards in the 85th minute to level the score.
Moments later, Messi delivered the decisive cross to the back post, where substitute Lautaro Martínez powered in a header during the second minute of stoppage time to seal a 2-1 victory, ESPN reports.
The result booked Argentina’s place in the World Cup final against Spain on Sunday, July 19, 2026, as the defending champions prepare to defend the trophy they won in Qatar four years earlier.
At 39, Messi also strengthened his incredible World Cup legacy. His involvement in both goals took his knockout-stage assist tally to 10, putting him six clear of any other player over at least the past six decades.
He has now either scored or provided an assist in 11 straight World Cup matches dating back to 2022, the longest such streak recorded since at least 1966.
