Morgan Rogers has arrived at Chelsea for €138 million from Aston Villa, but the England forward’s mind has travelled back to a World Cup semi-final and the rather awkward business of trying to stop Lionel Messi.
A costly Chelsea arrival with Messi still in mind
Speaking on Chelsea’s CFC Unlocked programme, Rogers named Cristiano Ronaldo as his personal favourite, yet admitted that facing Messi for England left a lasting impression.
Messi was 39 when Argentina met England in the World Cup semi-final, a detail that made the performance all the more striking for Rogers. The Chelsea newcomer said he could scarcely imagine what the Argentine must have been like at his peak.
- Rogers joined Chelsea from Aston Villa in a €138 million summer transfer.
- He said Ronaldo remains his preferred player.
- However, he described Messi’s semi-final display against England as close to impossible to contain.
- Rogers felt that, at his very best, Messi would have given opponents no chance.
England’s early lead did not last
England had begun the semi-final brightly, taking the lead through Gordon after an assist from Rogers. For a while, it gave the English side a foothold in a match carrying the usual weight whenever England and Argentina meet.
Argentina took control after the interval, though, with Messi at the centre of their revival. Enzo Fernández and Lautaro both scored from passes supplied by the No 10 as Argentina overturned the deficit.
A semi-final neither side has misplaced
The result has remained memorable in Argentina, where matches against England come with a long-established sporting rivalry. Rogers’ recollection suggests the occasion has not faded on the other side either.
For Chelsea, the new signing now brings an expensive pedigree and a useful reminder of football’s harshest lesson: even when Messi is approaching 40, some afternoons still belong to him.
