Four decades ago, Diego Maradona carved his name into the most controversial chapter of the England-Argentina rivalry, adding a new page to a feud that had begun years earlier.

Today, Lionel Messi leads a new generation of the Albiceleste in a clash that revives that legacy, as the two teams meet this evening in the 2026 World Cup semifinal.

The match carries not only the stakes of a final berth, but also brings together the tournament's second-highest market value team, England, and the defending champions, Argentina, in a showdown blending history and statistics.

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A renewed rivalry

The rivalry between the two teams did not begin with Maradona, but traces its roots back to the 1966 World Cup, when decisions by German referee Rudolf Kreitlein and the sending off of Argentina captain Antonio Rattín sparked widespread controversy between the two sides.

Argentina training: "French"

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But the 1986 World Cup quarterfinal gave this animosity a different dimension, after Maradona scored one of the most controversial goals in tournament history, before adding another regarded as one of the most beautiful in World Cup history. Since then, every encounter between the two teams has taken on dimensions beyond sporting competition, becoming an extension of a historic rivalry that renews with each meeting.

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English superiority

Away from history, economic indicators favor the English team.

England's squad has a market value of 1.36 billion euros, ranking second among the most expensive teams in the 2026 World Cup after France, according to Transfermarkt data reported by Calcio e Finanza.

In contrast, Argentina's market value stands at 782.5 million euros, a difference of nearly 580 million euros, making the English team's value more than 40% higher than the defending champions, according to the same source.

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The most expensive stars

Jude Bellingham tops the list of England's most expensive players with a market value of 130 million euros, followed by Declan Rice (120 million), Bukayo Saka (110 million), and Morgan Rogers (90 million), according to Transfermarkt data.

In contrast, Julián Álvarez leads Argentina's list with a value of 100 million euros, followed by Enzo Fernández (90 million), then Lautaro Martínez (85 million), while Lionel Messi's market value has declined with age, despite retaining his leadership role within the team.

Jude Bellingham during training: "Reuters"

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Wage scale

English superiority is not limited to market value but extends to wages.

Saudi Al-Ahli striker Ivan Toni ranks fifth among the highest earners in the 2026 World Cup, with a net annual salary of 25.2 million euros after his move to Al-Ahli, according to Calcio e Finanza estimates.

The list also includes Harry Kane with a net salary of 13.2 million, and Jude Bellingham with 10 million annually, while Argentina appears only through Lionel Messi, who earns 13.6 million annually from Inter Miami, according to the same source.

Coaches' salaries

England coach Thomas Tuchel receives an annual salary of 5.8 million, placing him among the highest-paid among coaches of participating teams in the tournament, according to Calcio e Finanza estimates.

In contrast, Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni earns about 2.3 million annually, while Argentine media reported that the local federation has begun negotiations to extend his contract with an improved salary.

Settled on the pitch

Market value and wages may give England an edge on paper, but the history of their encounters with Argentina suggests that such matches are not decided by numbers alone. Between the legacy forged by Maradona, the leadership carried by Messi, and English ambition to reclaim a title that has eluded them for six decades, the semifinal remains a test whose results only what happens on the pitch matters.