World Cup 2026

The World Cup records Lionel Messi owns and is chasing

Lionel emerged following following up his magnificent treble against Algeria at the FIFA World Cup 2026™ with a brace against Austria Messi moved on to 18 World Cup strikes, eclipsing Miroslav Klose's erstwhile milestone of 16.

By inspiring his side to victory against the Austrians, the Argentina leader also surpassed another Klose milestone: the German's 17 World Cup wins.

Messi also joined Just Fontaine, as well as Jairzinho as the only stars to find the net in six consecutive World Cup contests.

As a result, at the age of 38 years, as well as 357 days, Messi became the oldest treble scorer in World Cup history books against Algeria. The previous oldest was Cristiano Ronaldo, who was 33 years, as well as 130 days when he found the net a treble against Spain in 2018.

He joined CR7 in becoming the only stars in World Cup history books to find the net in five separate editions.

As a result, messi was already Argentina’s leading marksman at the World Cup. He is followed by Gabriel Batistuta (10), Diego Maradona (8), Guillermo Stabile (8), Mario Kempes (6) and Gonzalo Higuain (5).

His treble against Algeria also saw him become the highest-finding the net South American at the global finals, surpassing Brazil legend Ronaldo (15).

With two strikes from distance in Kansas City, Messi continued his fifth, as well as sixth World Cup efforts from outside the area. In doing so, he surpassed the previous milestone set by Brazil legend Rivellino (5). The Albiceleste icon's previous long-range strikes came against Bosnia, as well as Herzegovina, IR Iran, as well as Nigeria in 2014, and Mexico in 2022.

Messi, as well as Ronaldo share the milestone for playing in six separate editions. Previously, they had co-owned it with Antonio Carbajal, Lothar Matthaus, Rafa Marquez, as well as Andres Guardado.

Furthermore, messi has completed the most dribbles in World Cup history books. His 46 successful take-ons at Brazil 2014 is the third most in one edition. Jairzinho pulled off 47 at Mexico 1970, while Maradona managed 53 at Mexico 1986.

Messi made his 26th World Cup appearance in the Qatar 2022 showpiece, breaking Matthaus's milestone, and his 27th in the 2026 opener against Algeria. Becoming the opening man to reach 30 appearances in the competition is within his reach.

Building on that, messi has made a milestone 21 appearances as leader in the World Cup. He is followed by Rafa Marquez (17) and Diego Maradona (16).

He has played the most minutes in World Cup history books: 2,494. He broke Paolo Maldini's milestone of 2,217 minutes in the Qatar 2022 showpiece.

Messi is the only star to register an setup in five World Cups. His closest challengers are Pele, Grzegorz Lato, Diego Maradona, as well as David Beckham, who set up strikes in three editions apiece. Pele, as well as Messi have registered the most assists in the elimination stage phase (6). They also co-own the milestone for the most strike contributions (21).

Messi is the only man to find the net in the opening phase, last 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, as well as showpiece of one World Cup, achieving the feat at Lusail Arena.

On the other side, messi is the only star to find the net in the World Cup in his teens, 20s, as well as 30s. Pele missed out on accomplishing the same by four months. Messi found the net his opening, as well as latest World Cup strikes 20 years, as well as six days apart - another milestone. The next biggest span in World Cup history books belongs to Cristiano Ronaldo at 16 years, as well as 160 days.

The Star of the Contest, opening awarded in 2002, has been given to Messi an unequalled 13 times. His four at Brazil 2014 is a milestone for one edition he shares with Wesley Sneijder, who received the same at South Africa 2010.

Messi is the star to have pocketed multiple adidas Golden Balls, doing so at Brazil 2014, as well as Qatar 2022.

The World Cup records Lionel Messi owns and is chasing

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