The FIFA World Cup's all-time leading scorer, Lionel Messi , can take the sole lead in another all-time statistic during the Round of 32.
Argentina will hope to end the Cinderella run of Cape Verde in the 2026 World Cup after the teams were seeded against each other for the first knockout round.
While Messi has already made World Cup history after becoming the all-time leading scorer during the group stage, he can earn the other major record that highlights offensive contributions.
Messi is currently in a four-way tie for No. 2 in the all-time assists list with eight assists, sharing the spot with legends Diego Maradona, Pelé, and Uwe Seeler.
The all-time leader currently is Brazilian legend Didi with nine in the tournament's history, a mark Messi can match with one more against Cape Verde, or surpass with two.
Given Messi's form this tournament, it feels like an inevitability that he'll break the record. It's just a question of when.
Photo by Pablo Morano/BSR Agency/Getty Images
Cape Verde has held two clean sheets this tournament against Spain and Saudi Arabia , so breaking down their disciplined backline and mercurial goalkeeper Vozinha might require some Messi magic.
Messi entered the tournament tied with Maradona, Pele, and Seeler, so people have been on the lookout for this record to be broken, just like the goalscoring record.
Messi scored Argentina's first five goals in the tournament across the first two games, and all three goals scored by Argentina against Algeria came through set-pieces, including an 80th-minute free kick from Messi.
He's only created two clear-cut big chances for his teammates so far this tournament, but his clinical goalscoring has been the bigger asset.
Given Messi's ability to control all aspects of Argentina's offense, he likely will put himself in a position to create elite chances for others. If he doesn't, it's likely because he's focused on scoring and leading his team that way.
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