Lionel Messi continues to rewrite the World Cup record books at an age when most players have long since retired from the international stage.
His two assists in Argentina’s semi-final win over England took his knockout tournament tally to 10, more than any other player has managed in total across the entire competition since Opta’s records began in 1966. His overall World Cup assist count now sits at 12.
The performance itself was a throwback to his very best. Messi completed nine dribbles against England, matching the joint highest single match total of his own World Cup career, figures he first posted against Germany in 2010 at the age of 23, and repeated against Iceland in 2018 at 30.
To do it again at 39, in a World Cup semi-final, against a side set up specifically to stop him, only adds to the achievement. According to Opta, he became the first player on record to complete nine dribbles and register two assists in a single World Cup knockout match.
9 & 2 – Lionel Messi completed nine dribbles and assisted two goals against England – the first player on record (from 1966) to do so in a single FIFA World Cup knockout game.
Catalyst. pic.twitter.com/wwrE1QnQC1
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) July 15, 2026
The individual brilliance is part of a wider run of form. Messi has now scored or provided an assist in 13 consecutive appearances for club and country, the second longest streak of his career, behind only a 14 game run that ended back in 2011.
13 – 🇦🇷 Lionel Messi has now scored or assisted in 13 consecutive matches for club and country.
At 39 years of age, this is the second longest streak of his entire career, after a 14-game run (ending in 2011).
Astonishing. pic.twitter.com/MQWGTzAwdR
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) July 15, 2026
With Argentina now through to face Spain in Sunday’s final, Messi will have one more chance to add to a World Cup legacy that continues to defy both logic and age in equal measure.
Photo: Reuters/Brett Davis
