Messi World Cup Records At Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup

Lionel Messi and Argentina wins Qatar 2022 edition of the FIFA World Cup and the little genius broke records that have stood for many years. Messi in his own right became the first footballer to achieve some remarkable feats. The game was almost won by Messi and Di Maria through their goals in the first half but Mbappé’s 80th and 82nd-minute goals brought the game to parity. The game went on to extra-time in which Messi struck again in the 108th minute but once again Mbappé scored to level the tie.

The penalty shoot-out was the only way a winner would come out of this contest. Mbappé took first for France and scored, and Messi responded for Argentina. Emiliano Martinez has had an outstanding tournament and he is deserving of the Golden Glove – Best Goalkeeper of the tournament award. He didn’t allow Kingsley Koman’s penalty in. Hurelien Tchouameni went wide with his effort, and then came the moment Gonzalo Montiel sent the Argentines at the Lusail Stadium into euphoria.

Messi The Golden Boy

Lionel Andrés Messi became the first player to win the World Cup Golden Ball twice: he won it in the 2014 Brazil FIFA World Cup, and Qatar 2022 edition. The Golden Ball is awarded to the best player of the tournament hosted by FIFA. The award is awarded by votes and Messi came top.

Messi also became the first player to win four (4) major tournaments Best Player awards (no one else has more than 2): He was crowned best player of 2015 and 2021 edition of Copa America; the continent’s biggest tournament. Then the 2014 and the just concluded 2022 FIFA World Cup. Messi is also the oldest player to win the World Cup Golden Ball; 35 years, 178 days.

Messi’s incredible achievements

The Rosario-born footballer is also the first player to score in all five (5) rounds of a single World Cup; the group stages, the round of 16, the quarter-final, the semi-final, and the final of the FIFA World Cup.

Messi now has the most goal contributions in World Cup history; 21 (13 goals + 8 assists).  La Pulgita has now scored in Most World Cup matches; 11 (shared with Germany’s Miroslav Klose). His 8 goals are the most opening goal in world cup history.

Messi now holds the record of the most official POTM (Player Of The Match) awards at a single World Cup with five (5) awards. He also has the most official POTM awards overall with eleven (11). Messi is also the oldest player to score 5, 6 & 7 goals at a World Cup; at 35 years, 178 days.

The former Barcelona star now has the most appearances at the World Cup featuring 26 times all time. Messi has also played the most minutes at the World Cup wearing the Argentinian shirt for 2,314 minutes. Leo has also appeared as captain at the World Cup for 19 times, more than anyone else. The gap between his first and last World Cup goals: 16 years, 6 months, 3 days (16/6/06 – 18/12/22) is the biggest.

Records for Argentina and football

Messi is also one of only 6 players (men) to play in 5 different World Cups, one of the other five is Cristiano Ronaldo; his archrival. Eleven (11) goals by Messi are the most goals for Argentina at the FIFA World Cup. His eight (8) assists are joint( with Diego Maradona) most for Argentina at the world cup. The 7 times Ballon d’Or winner is the first Argentine to score in 5 & 6 different World Cup matches in a single tournament.

Messi is also the first Argentine to score in 3 & 4 different World Cup knockout matches in a single tournament. He is also the only player to make an assist in 4 & 5 different World Cups.

Messi is the only player to score and assist in four (4) different World Cup matches (1 in 2006, 3 in 2022).

The four times Champions League Winner is the youngest and oldest player to get a goal and assist in a single World Cup match – 18yr 357days and 35yr 172days.

Some more non-2022 World Cup records

Messi is the only player to score at a World Cup finals in his teens, twenties, and his thirties.

He is also the youngest player to play for Argentina at a World Cup: 18 years, 357 days (2006).

Messi is the youngest player to score for Argentina at a World Cup: 18 years, 357 days (2006)

He is the youngest player to captain Argentina at a World Cup: 22 years, 363 days (2010).