Paul Scholes Calls 3 Argentinians 'Pussycats' Ahead of England Tie

With the 2026 World Cup final less than a week away, England will be desperate to make their first final since 1966. They don't have any easy path to that point, however, with Argentina to come in the semi-final.

Not only are the South Americans a very good team, having won the FIFA tournament in 2022, but there is also a great deal of history between the teams, which will only add to the occasion. Infamously, Diego Maradona scored his controversial 'Hand of God' goal against England in the 1986 quarter-finals, while David Beckham also picked up a red card against the same country as the Three Lions crashed out of the 1998 World Cup.

Add the 1982 Falklands War into the mix – which means English referees Michael Oliver and Anthony Taylor have been banned from officiating Lionel Messi's side this summer – and it's not hard to see why the semi-final could be a fiery affair. Perhaps adding fuel to the flames, Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has named three Argentines who aren't as hard as they make out to be.

Scholes Discusses Former Argentina Teammates at Man Utd

Scholes played 66 times for England – starting that notable 1998 World Cup loss against Argentina – but opted to retire early in 2004 to focus on his club football with Manchester United. At Old Trafford, he was one of the all-time great Premier League midfielders, winning the English top flight 11 times.

During his time with the Red Devils, he got to play alongside some quality Argentinian players such as Juan Sebastian Veron, Carlos Tevez and Gabriel Heinze. Speaking on The Good, The Bad & The Football about his time spent with South American stars, he praised their personalities, but claimed the trio were 'pussycats' really:

"They all play up to that 'big hard man' thing. They are pussycats, really. I sat next to a couple of them in the dressing room. I sat next to Veron, Carlos Tevez, and Gabby Heinze.

"They are great lads but they come across as dead hard lads. They're not, they are anything but. Gabby Heinze, he's got the big [personality], like 'I'll t**** everyone every week', but he's not like that. They all play up to the crowd."

Joe Cole Makes Bold Argentina World Cup Claim

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Scholes isn't the only former England player to risk antagonising the Argentines ahead of the semi-final. Indeed, 2006 World Cup star Joe Cole has confidently claimed the Three Lions will send Messi packing. He said this week:

"We will have to put Lionel Messi to bed. We’re going to put him to bed." Before adding: "We are, 100 per cent. I’m saying it now, England are going to the World Cup final, we’ve got too much pace for Argentina and we’re going to beat them, I feel it in my bones!"

With all that history between the two nations, plus plenty of eye-catching comments in the media from the likes of Scholes and Cole, sparks could fly when they meet at Atlanta Stadium on Wednesday.

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