"One of them," Tuchel said.
Reflecting on Messi's standing among the game's greatest players, the coach pointed out that football contains multiple layers across different positions.
"There are so many different layers in football in so many different positions. He is right up there, for sure," Tuchel said.
The coach noted that England managed to contain Norway's Erling Haaland in the previous round and expects to devise a plan for the Argentine captain.
"So we will find a way now [against Messi]," Tuchel said.
The England squad enters the Atlanta stadium with optimism despite inconsistent cohesive play, relying on their strong chance creation and Tuchel's tactical flexibility.
The manager expressed immense personal excitement as kickoff approaches.
"These last two minutes as a coach before matches and even more so now with the national anthem … I feel so alive," Tuchel said.
Tuchel concluded by expressing his absolute dedication to managing in high-stakes international football fixtures.
"I don't want to be anywhere else in the world in these kind of moments.
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I can really take that in and I will again in the buildup to this game," Tuchel said.
