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The records Lionel Messi can break at World Cup 2026 this month
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- The records Lionel Messi can break at World Cup 2026 this month
Photo by Marcelo Endelli/Getty Images
Lionel Messi is heading into what definitely feels like the final World Cup chapter of a career that already peaked with Argentina's 2022 triumph.
The 38-year-old was not always certain to be involved, with fitness and usefulness to Argentina central to his own thinking before Lionel Scaloni named him in the squad.
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That makes his role one of the tournament's early mysteries. Messi may not start every match, but every minute could move him closer to more World Cup history.
Lionel Messi could take ownership of four huge World Cup records this month
Photo by Shaun Botterill – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
If Messi appears, he will play in a sixth World Cup, as will Cristiano Ronaldo and Guillermo Ochoa , making them part of an exclusive group of six-tournament players.
There is also the chase for the goals record. Messi has 13 World Cup goals, three behind Miroslav Klose's all-time mark of 16, so four goals would take him outright top. In that regard, Kylian Mbappe , with 12 total goals in the competition, is a serious rival.
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The assist picture is less simple. Some modern lists place Messi level with Diego Maradona on eight, while FIFA's recent goal-involvement count credits Pele with nine assists.
Other historical records credit Pele with 10 World Cup assists, which would leave Messi needing two to draw level and three to go clear. Either way, the creative record is within sight.
The Brazilian legend and the Inter Miami superstar also share the World Cup's goal-contribution record at 21, according to FIFA.
Messi could also equal Cafu's record of three World Cup final appearances. The Brazil great reached the 1994, 1998 and 2002 finals, while Messi appeared in 2014 and 2022.
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Another record can simply keep growing: Messi already owns the men's World Cup appearances record with 26, meaning every match in 2026 would extend his benchmark.
The wider prize remains Argentina's title defence. But for the iconic No. 10, this month could also become a farewell tour built around records that once looked almost untouchable.
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