The FIFA World Cup 2026 kicks off on June 11. Jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, this edition will feature 48 teams for the first time. Defending champions Argentina are preparing to step onto the pitch with the goal of retaining their title, once again under the leadership of captain Lionel Messi.
Turning 39 on June 24, this World Cup holds special significance for Messi. Regarded as one of the greatest players in football history, he has the opportunity to break several historic World Cup records during this tournament.
By stepping onto the pitch in the 2026 World Cup, Messi will become the first Argentine player to feature in six different World Cups, having previously represented his country in 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, and 2022. Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Mexico’s goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa are also close to achieving this milestone, but Messi will be the first from Argentina to reach this landmark.
Messi has scored 13 goals in 26 World Cup matches so far, making him Argentina’s all-time top scorer in the tournament’s history. The record for the most goals in World Cup history is held by Germany’s Miroslav Klose, who scored 16 goals in 24 matches. If Messi manages to score four or more goals in the 2026 World Cup, he will surpass Klose to become the all-time top scorer in World Cup history—an achievable feat given Argentina’s strong squad and Messi’s vast experience.
Messi has already scored in the 2006, 2014, 2018, and 2022 editions. If he scores at least one goal in the 2026 tournament, he will become only the second player in the world to score in five different World Cups. Currently, this record is held solely by Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored in five consecutive World Cups from 2006 to 2022. Achieving this would also make Messi the first player from South America to score in five different World Cups.
Known not just as a goal scorer but also as a playmaker, Messi has recorded eight assists in the World Cup so far, tying him with Argentine legend Diego Maradona. If he provides one more assist in the 2026 World Cup, he will become Argentina’s all-time top assist provider in World Cup history. The record for the most assists in tournament history belongs to West Germany’s Fritz Walter with nine assists, meaning Messi is one assist away from equaling it and two away from breaking it.
Messi successfully led Argentina to the world title as captain in 2022. If he guides his team to victory again in 2026, he will become the first player in football history to win the World Cup twice as a captain. While many historic captains have lifted the trophy, none have accomplished it twice.
Under his captaincy, Argentina reached the finals in both 2014 and 2022. If Argentina reaches the final in 2026, Messi will become the first captain in World Cup history to lead his team to three finals.
Following the triumph at the Qatar World Cup 2022, many speculated that Messi’s international journey had come to a close. However, for the 2026 edition, he remains the focal point of Argentina’s hopes. This time, his objective is not only to secure another world title but also to rewrite decades-old historic records. If Messi maintains his current form, the FIFA World Cup 2026 could add another historic chapter to his storied career.
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