Messi Sets New Assist Record at the World Cup

Argentina’s captain Lionel Messi has set a new record for assists in the FIFA World Cup. During the pre-quarterfinal match against Egypt in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Messi established two major records in a single game. He became the first footballer to register 9 assists in World Cup history, surpassing the previous record of 8 assists held by Argentine legend Diego Maradona.

Additionally, Messi made history by providing assists in six consecutive World Cups. Since his World Cup debut in 2006, Messi has contributed assists in six different tournaments in a row. Both of these milestones were broken with his first assist in this World Cup. In the thrilling 3-2 victory over Egypt, Messi also scored a goal, further extending his record of scoring in consecutive games. He has scored in all five matches he has played in this tournament and is the only player to have scored in nine consecutive World Cup games.

Messi holds the records for most World Cup matches played, most goals scored, and most World Cup appearances by any player. To date, he has played a total of 31 matches across six World Cups, with Cristiano Ronaldo ranking second with 26 matches. Messi and Ronaldo are the only players to have participated in six World Cups. Furthermore, Messi has equaled the record of Germany’s Miroslav Klose for the most goals scored in World Cup knockout stages with 14 goals, a record he is expected to break as his team advances to the quarterfinals.

In this tournament, Messi has become the top scorer with 8 goals. France’s captain Kylian Mbappé and Norway’s Erling Haaland have both scored 7 goals each. Messi is the first player to score 7 or more goals in two different World Cups, having netted 7 goals during the victorious 2022 Qatar World Cup. Additionally, Messi has set numerous other records including scoring a hat trick at the oldest age, scoring in every stage from group rounds onwards, scoring in his teenage years as well as his 20s and 30s, and accumulating the most minutes played in World Cup history, among more than a dozen other achievements.