The 2026 FIFA World Cup is knocking at the door. While discussions around teams’ tactics, squads, and schedules are reaching fever pitch, the football world is also preparing to witness the final chapter of an epic. 

For Lionel Messi, now on the verge of turning 39, this is set to be his last opportunity to shine on football’s grandest stage. Having illuminated this tournament for the past two decades and etched his name into its history, it is fitting to revisit the remarkable milestones that define his World Cup legacy before he takes his final bow.

In the rich history of Argentine football, Messi’s World Cup journey is not only a testament to greatness but also an extraordinary example of his relentless physical and mental endurance. 

Although his role and position on the pitch have evolved with age, he has remained just as indispensable as ever -- the heartbeat of his team. Most notably, after Argentina’s shocking opening defeat to Saudi Arabia at the 2022 Qatar World Cup, it was Messi’s magical leadership that pulled his side back from the brink.

Ending Argentina’s 36-year wait for the title, La Albiceleste’s triumph in the Qatari desert ultimately completed Messi’s glittering career. For a player who had already won every major trophy possible, lifting the coveted golden prize in Qatar added the final, most cherished feather to his crown.

As the 2026 World Cup presents a new challenge, here is a look back at Messi’s superhuman World Cup records -- achievements across five editions of the tournament that have elevated him to a truly untouchable level.

** Messi is among the select few players to have appeared in five World Cups. He featured in the tournaments in 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, and 2022. The other five players on that exclusive list are Germany’s Lothar Matthaus, Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, and Mexico’s Antonio Carbajal, Rafael Marquez, and Andres Guardado.

** Messi is the only player in history to register assists in five different World Cups. His closest challengers are Brazil’s Pele, Poland’s Grzegorz Lato, Argentina’s Diego Maradona, and England’s David Beckham, each of whom provided assists in three editions.

** The 2022 World Cup final in Qatar marked Messi’s 26th World Cup appearance, making him the player with the most matches played in World Cup history. He played three matches in 2006, five in 2010, seven in 2014, four in 2018, and seven in 2022. The previous record belonged to Matthaus, who played 25.

** With 13 goals, Messi is Argentina’s all-time leading World Cup goalscorer. He is followed by Gabriel Batistuta (10), Maradona (8), Guillermo Stabile (8), Mario Kempes (6), and Gonzalo Higuain (5).

** Messi has won the Man of the Match award a record 11 times in World Cup history. Remarkably, he was named player of the match five times during the Qatar World Cup alone.

** Messi is the only player in World Cup history to win the Golden Ball twice, earning the tournament’s best player award at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and the 2022 World Cup. While his dream was shattered by Germany in the 2014 final, Argentina’s victory over France in Qatar finally allowed him to lift the treasured golden trophy.

** Messi also holds the record for the most minutes played in World Cup history, having spent 2,314 minutes on the pitch. He surpassed Italy’s Paolo Maldini (2,217 minutes) during the final in Qatar.

** As captain, Messi has played a record 19 World Cup matches, ahead of Marquez (17) and Maradona (16).

** Messi is the only player in history to score in every stage of a single World Cup -- the group stage, round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals, and final. He achieved this extraordinary feat in Qatar, failing to score only in Argentina’s final group-stage match against Poland.

** Messi shares the record for the most direct goal involvements in World Cup history -- 21 combined goals and assists -- jointly with Brazil’s Pele. The two also share the record for the most knockout-stage assists, with six each.

** When Messi scored his first World Cup goal against Serbia and Montenegro during the group stage of the 2006 tournament, he was just 18 years and 357 days old, making him the seventh-youngest goalscorer in World Cup history. At the top of that list remains Pele, who was 17 years and 239 days old when he scored against Wales in the quarterfinals of the 1958 World Cup.

** Messi shares the record for creating the most goalscoring chances in World Cup history, with 67, jointly held with Maradona. Of those, 21 chances came during the tournament in Qatar.

** Messi has completed 121 successful dribbles, the most ever recorded in World Cup history. His 46 successful dribbles in the 2014 World Cup rank as the third-highest in a single edition. Only Brazil’s Jairzinho (47 at the 1970 World Cup in Mexico) and Maradona (53 at the 1986 World Cup) rank above him.