Argentina are set to wear their navy blue strip against World Cup semi-final opponents England, a move that marks an unconventional approach by the team to gain a psychological edge.
The match will be the sixth clash between the two nations at World Cups, with England having come out on top on three of those occasions, most recently in Japan back in 2002.
The rivalry between the two teams is steeped in history both on and off the pitch, and naturally throws up memories from their various meetings down the years, perhaps most notably in 1986 when Diego Maradona scored two iconic goals, including the infamous 'Hand of God' goal, to eliminate England.
Argentina have taken an unconventional approach by asking to play in the colour worn by Maradona all those years ago, a 'special request' from the Argentinian camp, according to journalist Gaston Edul.
The team, who typically play in white and light blue stripes, also donned navy blue when they knocked England out of the 1998 World Cup, a bad-tempered game which saw David Beckham sent off for a petulant kick on Diego Simeone.
FIFA's official Match Colour Designation release confirms that Argentina have been given the green light to wear their second strip, with the accompanying white shorts and red socks.
England, meanwhile, will take to the field in their white strip barring Jordan Pickford, who is set to pull on the same yellow kit that he wore for the side's quarter-final victory over Norway.
The Three Lions have not locked horns with Argentina since as far back as 2005, when Michael Owen struck twice late to inspire a Sven-Goran Eriksson-led team to victory in an entertaining friendly.
Should Messi feature on Wednesday, as expected, it will mark the first time ever that the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner will have faced off against England, a fact that the legendary forward, 39, found exciting.
'The truth is, yes, it is always special to play against the big teams,' Messi said of Argentina's eagerly anticipated showdown with England.
'It never happened to me against England, it's the first time, so it's going to be a special match, a World Cup semi-final,' he added.
Argentina will wear their navy blue strip in Atlanta, a move that marks a psychological edge in their bid to reach the World Cup final.
