Lionel Messi doesn’t often give his opinion on football matters, but when he does, everyone sits up and listens. That was the case when the greatest player of all time tipped an English youngster for stardom.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has played with and against some of the biggest stars of the past two decades. His eye for talent is likely to be just as flawless as his vision on the pitch.

In the past, he has labelled Liverpool icon Steven Gerrard as ‘England’s greatest-ever player’, while also being full of praise for Manchester United great Wayne Rooney. But there’s one Three Lions player Messi might have been wrong about.

Lionel Messi Picked Out England’s Future

Credit: Jerome Miron (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters)

The 39-year-old has been one of the best players at the 2026 World Cup, still producing for his country at the highest level. The same can’t be said for everyone, however.

While Messi is chasing Golden Boots and World Cup trophies, many high-profile players have had an entire summer off. One of those players is England international Mason Mount.

Despite earning 36 caps for the Three Lions, the Manchester United midfielder hasn’t been seen in the famous white shirt since the 2022 World Cup quarter-final against France. Each of the ex-Chelsea man’s appearances for England came under Gareth Southgate.

But his chances of forcing his way back in under Thomas Tuchel appear slim at best. His game time at Man Utd in recent years has been limited due to several injury issues. Before that, however, Messi was incredibly impressed by the attacking midfielder.

“Having watched him play, he has the potential to be one of the best,” said the greatest footballer of all time in 2020 (per The Sun).

Messi Praised 3 More England Outcasts

Six years after that bold prediction, and Mount is out in the cold for England. But he’s not the only English youngster Messi praised that day. In fact, the other three players he mentioned among his picks for youngsters to watch have also watched the World Cup from home.

Phil Foden was one of the surprise omissions from Tuchel’s 26-man squad, having won six Premier League titles and many other trophies at Manchester City. Messi lauded him as a ‘huge talent’ and claimed he’d ‘do amazing things in the game’.

At the time, Trent Alexander-Arnold was one of the most exciting footballers on the planet, which Messi saw first-hand in that Champions League semi-final. The full-back was described as ‘impressive going forward’.

One man who has fallen off the radar for many people is Jadon Sancho. The winger impressed Messi with his dribbling ability, but has never been a regular in an England shirt. Messi said: “[Sancho’s] ability to dribble past defenders is impressive.”

Statistics in this article are courtesy of Transfermarkt. Correct as of 14-07-26.

It was one of the most controversial decisions in all World Cup history. Despite going against the very laws of the game, having been sent off in the United States‘ prior game, Folarin Balogun was somehow allowed to play against Belgium.

The 25-year-old found himself in the centre of a sporting storm after he was controversially handed a red card in the Last 32 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina. Many debated whether it was fair or not, but the player was sent off and should have automatically missed the USMNT’s following match in the Round of 16.

However, Donald Trump then appeared to get involved, as FIFA stepped in to confirm that Balogun’s initial ban was suspended for 12 months, allowing the striker to start against Belgium. It’s since been reported that the decision to halt the striker’s suspension was taken solely by the chairman of FIFA’s disciplinary committee, Mohammad Al-Kamali.

Although Balogun was cleared to play, it could be argued that the saga had a negative impact on his team. After all, the US had been flying up until that point, but were far from their best as they lost 4-1 to Belgium. The Monaco striker has now opened up on the true impact of it all.

Folarin Balogun Reveals True Impact on US After Red Card Saga

Talking to US TV show ‘CBS Mornings’, Balogun was quizzed about the incident. He spoke honestly, suggesting that it led to ‘nerves’ from his teammates:

Balogun Still Feels He Should Not Have Been Sent Off

REUTERS/Phil Noble

Amid all the drama, however, Balogun has insisted that he feels as though he should not have been sent off by referee Raphael Claus. The US striker, raised in London, said:

“It wasn’t even a tackle. I was totally in shock, I think you could see in my reaction. I just had to accept the decision and just try to be there for my team.

“When something is not intentional, it should never be a red card. It was just an unfortunate situation and it put a lot more pressure on us than we needed.”

Trump later admitted that he asked FIFA to reconsider the decision, although he did not demand it. He explained at a White House media briefing:

“All I did was ask for a review. I didn’t say, you have to do this. This man is a smart, tough man, Gianni Infantino. He’s a smart, tough man, and his stock has gone through the roof because the job he has done has been great. I feel like we have to have all the best players on the field.”

Balogun played 92 minutes against Belgium before being subbed with the game as good as over. Their opponents then took on Spain in the quarter-finals, losing 2-1 with Mikel Merino scoring a late winner.

Manchester United are said to have enquired about a third midfield signing as they continue to ramp up their summer business. The Red Devils are close to announcing a £36million deal for Youri Tielemans, who will join from Aston Villa after his release clause was met.

That signing follows the £50million capture of Andrey Santos, adding much-needed strength and depth to the midfield, but there could yet be more.

While United are now likely to focus on other areas, with the defence in need of strengthening, while a winger signing could be sourced this summer, Michael Carrick may well add one more to the midfield.

Man Utd make enquiry over Oulai

According to journalist Nicolo Ceccarini, United have submitted an enquiry to Turkish club Trabzonspor over Christ Inao Oulai. It’s claimed the enquiry was only ‘gathering information’ at this stage, with the Red Devils likely just finding out how much a deal would cost.

Carrick may well want a third midfielder this summer, but with £86million already spent on two midfielders, it’s likely the third midfielder would likely be another affordable option worth less than £50million, rather than a marquee midfield signing.

Oulai is likely to fit into that bracket, only 20 years of age and likely to cost around £29.8million, according to recent reports. The Ivory Coast World Cup star is under contract until 2030, so there is no pressure for Trabzonspor to sell. Everton have also been linked with the midfielder this summer.

Oulai has other preferences

The bad news is that Oulai has a transfer preference, and it is not the Premier League. He said earlier this year: “Some people find it strange, but I like Ligue 1. I’m not attracted to the Premier League. I like Ligue 1!” he said with a smile, before naming his dream club. A club that makes me dream today? PSG. I like them. This new PSG plays really well.”

Former striker Roger Boli has previously said of Oulai’s talent: “He’s a young player with a high work rate, very active. He knows how to work hard and bring energy to his team. He’s like a great motivator, someone who brings a lot of energy. In short, he’s a very good player.”

Oulai also impressed at the African Cup of Nations, as well as the World Cup, and his form compared with his age makes him an inevitable target for Premier League clubs, even if he prefers a move elsewhere.