Every Lionel Messi Record at the 2026 FIFA World Cup
Lionel Messi is on the verge of adding another historic chapter to his career with Argentina. The Albiceleste captain will face Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final with the chance to win back-to-back world titles while extending a legacy filled with remarkable records.
Lionel Messi is on the verge of adding another historic chapter to his career with Argentina. The Albiceleste captain will face Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final with the chance to win back-to-back world titles while extending a legacy filled with remarkable records.
Before the championship match, the Inter Miami forward already owns historic marks for goals, assists, appearances, minutes played and several other World Cup achievements.
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Lionel Messi is the all-time leading World Cup scorer
The former Barcelona star reached 21 World Cup goals to become the tournament's all-time leading scorer, moving four clear of Germany's Miroslav Klose.
He has also scored seven goals in two different World Cup editions.
The biggest threat to that record could be Kylian Mbappé, who has already scored 18 World Cup goals at just 27 years old, surpassing Ronaldo (15) and Gerd Müller (14).
Messi is the World Cup's all-time assist leader
With his assists against England, Messi reached 12 career World Cup assists, surpassing Pelé's previous record of 10.
Oldest outfield player to appear in a World Cup semifinal
At 39 years and 21 days old, Messi became the oldest outfield player ever to play in a World Cup semifinal.
The previous record belonged to Fritz Walter and Gunnar Gren, who were 37 years and 236 days old in 1958.
Most World Cup matches and minutes played
Messi has now appeared in 30 World Cup matches, ahead of Lothar Matthäus (25), Miroslav Klose (24) and Paolo Maldini (23).
Before the Final against Spain, he also owns the all-time record with 2,519 minutes played.
Most consecutive World Cup matches with a goal
Messi has scored in nine consecutive World Cup matches, breaking the streaks previously held by Just Fontaine and Jairzinho.
The run includes:
- Argentina vs Australia (Round of 16, Qatar 2022)
- Argentina vs Netherlands (Quarterfinals, Qatar 2022)
- Argentina vs Croatia (Semifinal, Qatar 2022)
- Argentina vs France (Final, Qatar 2022)
- Argentina vs Algeria (Group Stage, 2026)
- Argentina vs Austria (Group Stage, 2026)
- Argentina vs Jordan (Group Stage, 2026)
- Argentina vs Cape Verde (Round of 32, 2026)
- Argentina vs Egypt (Round of 16, 2026)
Most consecutive knockout matches with a goal
By scoring against Egypt, Messi became the first player ever to score in six consecutive World Cup knockout matches.
The streak began in the Round of 16 at Qatar 2022.
Most World Cup wins
Counting only results after 90 minutes, Messi has recorded 19 World Cup victories.
He moved ahead of Miroslav Klose (17), Cafú (16), Ronaldo (15), Philipp Lahm (15) and Lothar Matthäus (15).
First player to score in every World Cup knockout round
After scoring against Cape Verde in the newly introduced Round of 32, Messi became the first footballer to score at least once in every knockout stage of a FIFA World Cup.
Record for World Cup finals as a starter
If he starts against Spain, Messi will become the first player ever to start in three FIFA World Cup Finals.
Cafú also appeared in three consecutive finals, but came off the bench in the 1994 tournament.
Six FIFA World Cup appearances
The 2026 edition marks Messi's sixth FIFA World Cup, tying the record shared with Cristiano Ronaldo and Guillermo Ochoa.
However, the Mexican goalkeeper did not play in two of those tournaments.
