In a day that will be etched in the annals of sporting glory, Lionel Messi once again wrote a golden page in the history of the World Cups by leading the Argentine National Team to the semifinals of the 2026 World Cup. The Argentine captain, a symbol of excellence and national merit, achieved a new historic record during the match against Switzerland in the quarterfinals, held in Kansas City.
With a precise cross at 10 minutes into the match, he assisted Alexis Mac Allister to open the scoring in what would be a hard-fought victory that ended 3-1 in extra time, thanks to the mystique and character of a team that refuses to accept defeat.
Lionel Messi
This decisive pass was not just another statistic; with it, Messi reached 11 assists in World Cups, becoming the all-time top assister in the tournament's history.
With this figure, the Argentine star has established an insurmountable lead over his pursuers, surpassing the mark of the German Fritz Walter, who had 10, and leaving far behind figures like the French Raymond Kopa, the German Uwe Seeler, and the legendary Diego Maradona, all with 8 assists.
The strength of the numbers is undeniable: Messi's leadership is a matter of state for Argentine pride.
The magnitude of the "Flea's" legacy unfolds in numerical details that overwhelm any detractor:
He has reached 32 appearances in World Cups, solidifying his status as the player with the most matches played in the tournament's history.
Lionel Messi against Egypt
In the current edition of 2026, he has already accumulated eight goals, remaining steadfast in the fight for the record of goals in a single edition, still held by Just Fontaine with 13 goals.
He totals 21 goals throughout his World Cup career, vying for the historical top spot with the French Kylian Mbappé.
Beyond the World Cup stage, the statistics of his professional career, at the age of 39, reflect a consistency characteristic of the chosen ones: 1,162 matches, 919 goals, and 416 assists between clubs and the Argentine National Team. His ability to remain decisive at this age is a testament to the work ethic that Argentina must embrace.
Head coach Lionel Scaloni, after advancing to the next round, emphasized the importance of this victory by stating: "With the last drop of sweat, we will go for it all", adding that "Being among the top four is no small feat". Now, the Albiceleste is preparing to face England next Wednesday, July 15 in Atlanta, in a match that promises to be a new battle for world supremacy, where Argentina will seek to impose its mystique against the British team.
