Argentina’s captain enters the final against Spain with eight goals and four assists from seven appearances. He has directly contributed to 12 goals in 619 minutes, registering either a goal or an assist in every match.
Goals
Messi has scored once every 77.4 minutes.
He began the tournament with a hat-trick against Algeria before adding two more against Austria. A free kick followed against Jordan, while his knockout-stage goals came against Cape Verde and Egypt.
None of his eight goals have come from penalties. Messi has taken 34 shots, the most at the tournament, and hit the target 18 times.
Kylian Mbappe moved ahead in the Golden Boot race by scoring twice in the third-place playoff. The Frenchman has 10 goals, leaving Messi two behind with the final still to play.
Assists
Messi’s four assists are his best return at a single World Cup.
He set up Argentina’s first goal during their comeback against Egypt before providing another assist in the quarter-final victory over Switzerland.
His finest creative performance came against England. With Argentina trailing, Messi assisted Enzo Fernandez’s equaliser and then crossed for Lautaro Martinez to score the 92nd-minute winner.
Messi has created 25 chances during the tournament, including eight big chances. He has also completed 21 key passes and 15 through balls.
Passing
Messi has completed 258 passes with an accuracy of 81.9%.
His greatest influence has come closer to the opposition goal. He has completed 158 passes in the attacking third and 19 crosses, allowing him to create chances from central areas, the right flank and set pieces.
Argentina have regularly looked to Messi when they need to break through a crowded defence. His passing has remained as important as his scoring.
Dribbling
Messi has completed 25 dribbles during the tournament.
His best display came against England, when he completed nine, the most by any player in a single match at this World Cup.
Even at 39, Messi remains capable of escaping pressure and carrying Argentina towards goal.
Records
Messi became the oldest player to score a World Cup hat-trick when he struck three times against Algeria at 38 years and 357 days.
He has now made a record 33 World Cup appearances and scored 21 goals. Mbappe moved one ahead of him on the all-time list with his brace against England.
Messi has also provided 12 World Cup assists according to records dating back to 1966, more than any other player during that period.
He is the first player to provide an assist at six different World Cups and has scored or assisted in 11 consecutive tournament matches, another record.
In his six World Cups, Messi has recorded 33 goal contributions in 33 appearances.
One final remains. The numbers already tell the story of an extraordinary tournament, but Messi still has one more chance to add the perfect ending.
Photo: REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian
