Lionel Messi and Mohamed Salah were at the center of one of the most anticipated matchups of the 2026 FIFA World Cup when Argentina and Egypt met in the Round of 16. Two of the greatest players of their generation shared the pitch once again, adding another chapter to a rivalry that for many years had been limited exclusively to the UEFA Champions League.

Following Argentina's victory over Egypt in the Round of 16, Messi once again came out on top in a direct encounter with Egypt's biggest football icon, adding another win to his personal record against Salah.

First Meeting: Roma vs Barcelona 2015

The first clash between the two stars came during the 2015-16 UEFA Champions League group stage, when Mohamed Salah's Roma hosted Lionel Messi's Barcelona at the Stadio Olimpico.

Both players completed the full 90 minutes in a match that ended 1-1. It was the first meeting between two footballers who would later go on to dominate European football as the leaders of Liverpool and Barcelona, respectively.