O’Reilly relishing ‘once-in-a-lifetime opportunity’ | OneFootball

Nico O’Reilly says he has full belief in himself and the England side as they bid to reach a first World Cup final in 60 years.

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The Three Lions face Argentina in Atlanta on Wednesday evening, knowing victory will take them to the showpiece event against either France or Spain.

While the prize on offer is huge, England and Argentina have a long shared history in World Cups including a famous victories for England in 1966 and 2002 and Argentina in 1986 and 1998.

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Our 21-year-old Academy graduate has started five of England’s six games so far, including each of the three knockout clashes to this point.

Now the full-back is keen to get going.

“I can’t wait,” O’Reilly said in interviews with BBC Radio 5Live and talkSPORT earlier today.

“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

“I know there’s a bit of history there, and I know they’re going to be fired up for it. So I think we just match their energy, match their passion, and go even harder.

“But yeah, of course, they have some great players. A big challenge, big task, but I believe in myself.”

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While they have talent all over the pitch, Argentina’s chief threat comes in the shape of Lionel Messi, who has scored eight goals in the tournament so far and holds the record for most strikes ever at the World Cup finals.

O’Reilly is excited to come up against the legendary attacker for the very first time in his career.

“They’ve got Messi, in my opinion, he’s been the best player in world football. I can’t wait to play against him,” he said.

“He’s coming towards the end of his career but for me personally, he’s the best player to ever touch a football pitch and I can’t wait for the challenge.”

It’s been a meteoric rise for O’Reilly, who only became a regular in City’s senior side in 2025/26 – playing a whopping 53 times across all competitions.

While that’s enough to make many player’s heads spin, the Manchester-born midfielder turned defender has taken it all in his stride.

In fact, he feels he was made for such grand stages.

“I’ve always dreamt, and I’ve always had goals to be in positions like this,” he said.

“I did an interview three years ago where I said that I wanted to be in the World Cup squad and playing for Manchester City.

“I’ve managed to make those two goals and dreams happen. It’s always been there in the back of my mind, and now I’m here and I’m loving every minute.

“It’s a big thing in my life, in my career. I’m always believing and dreaming of the next things. Every night. Just the celebrations and the togetherness in the changing rooms, going back home, seeing everyone celebrating. It would be amazing.

“I think I just have a winner’s mindset. I just always want to win, win, win. I think if you believe it, you dream it, you talk it, and you’ve got it all there to go and put the actions into play and go and do it. Manifesting is a big thing for me.”

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