Japan manager Hajime Moriyasu delivered a brutally honest assessment of Lionel Messi on the eve of his side’s crucial World Cup group-stage clash against Sweden—admitting that the Argentine superstar exists on a level so extraordinary that even man-marking tactics are rendered useless.
Speaking to reporters at Dallas Stadium on Wednesday, June 24, 2026—Messi’s 39th birthday—Moriyasu was asked about the veteran forward’s scintillating form at the tournament. The response was one of profound admiration mixed with tactical resignation.
“Messi seems to be in another dimension. He is almost a superhero,” the Japanese tactician said. “Among coaches, we discuss what we would do if we faced him. Do we mark him man-to-man or not? I think there is nothing we can do to stop him.”
No Tactic Has Worked
Moriyasu revealed that his coaching staff had recently devoted serious thought to the hypothetical challenge of facing Argentina—only to conclude that the task is essentially impossible.
“梅西已经完全超越次元了，我不知道该怎么形容，真的像超人一样,” he added, according to Chinese media. “Even with man-marking—many teams have tried it, but none have succeeded. There really is no way.”
A Potential Semifinal Showdown—But Not Yet
Despite the tactical nightmare Messi presents, Moriyasu was quick to note that Japan and Argentina are not on a collision course anytime soon. Japan currently sit second in Group F with four points after a 2-2 draw with the Netherlands and a commanding 4-0 victory over Tunisia. A runner-up finish would place them on the opposite side of the knockout bracket from Argentina, who top Group J—meaning a potential meeting could only occur in the semi-finals.
“So we won’t be facing Argentina anytime soon,” Moriyasu remarked with a hint of relief. “Other teams will have to deal with Messi. I’ll be watching with interest to see how they try to stop him—and how he rises above them again.”
A Record-Breaking Phenomenon
Moriyasu’s remarks came as Messi continues to rewrite World Cup history. The Argentine captain has scored five goals in just two matches, taking his career tally to 18 World Cup goals—surpassing Germany’s Miroslav Klose and France’s Kylian Mbappé, who both have 16, to become the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history.
“Messi’s level has transcended conventional football,” Moriyasu added. “Words are inadequate to describe his brilliance.”
Japan’s Immediate Focus
For now, Moriyasu’s focus remains firmly on Sweden, with his side aiming to secure top spot in Group F. “We are thinking about winning, and if possible, we would like to finish first in the group by scoring many goals,” he said. “We don’t know which team we will face in the next round, but the important thing is that we remain solid. I believe we are capable of dealing with any team that comes.”
Just not, it seems, with a certain No. 10 from Argentina.
