NDTV reports that Lionel Messi expresses a “favourite” referee he would like to see officiate Argentina’s semi-final against England at the FIFA World Cup. The outlet frames the match within the broader context of the 2026 tournament, highlighting that FIFA’s rankings place the top four teams in contention for the title. According to the NDTV coverage, Messi’s comment centers on which official he would prefer for the game, rather than on tactical or team-selection details. The report does not provide additional verified information in the excerpt beyond the claim about a preferred referee and the tournament context. It also does not specify whether FIFA confirms the appointment or whether the referee preference affects the final selection process. The coverage therefore focuses on Messi’s stated preference while situating the semi-final in what NDTV describes as a high-profile stage featuring the tournament’s highest-ranked teams.