Messi 2026 World Cup performances have been historic, and his eight goals with four assists only hint at how complete his tournament has been.
Beyond goals and assists, Lionel Messi has led the field across a range of advanced categories, from through balls and take-ons to possessions ending in shots. The 39-year-old has showcased elite versatility over seven matches. Betting markets list him around -800 for a third Golden Ball and +100 for the Golden Boot, according to oddsmakers.
Here is a closer look at the data behind Messi’s standout campaign ahead of the World Cup final between Argentina and Spain on July 19.
Messi 2026 World Cup performances by the numbers
- Messi’s 8 goals are tied with Kylian Mbappé for the most of any player.
- His 2 goals from outside the box are level with Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé (France), Yasin Ayari (Sweden), and Malik Tillman (USA) for the most.
- His 34 shots are the most of any player. His 18 shots on target rank second behind Mbappé’s 19.
- Messi has 5.31 xG (expected goals), second to Mbappé’s 5.5.
- His 5.75 xG on target is third among all players, trailing Mbappé (7.11) and Jude Bellingham (5.89).
- Messi’s 4 assists are tied with Brahim Díaz, Bruno Guimarães, and Martin Ødegaard for second-most, one behind Michael Olise’s five.
- He has 49 crosses and 19 crosses completed, both tournament highs.
- Messi has produced 21 key passes, the most of any player.
- His 158 passes in the attacking third rank second to Pedri’s 175.
- He leads the field with 4.12 xA (expected assists).
- Messi has 25 dribbles completed, the most of any player.
- He has 48 take-ons, second to Lamine Yamal’s 52.
- Messi has 14 possessions ending with a goal.
- He owns 170 possessions ending in the attacking third, third-most behind Rodri (205) and Olise (172).
- Messi has 76 possessions ending in a shot, the most of any player.
- He averages 63.6 seconds per possession, second-longest among forwards with at least 400 minutes, behind Julián Álvarez.
- 25 chances created, the most of any player.
- 8 big chances created, the most of any player.
- 15 through balls, tied with Michael Olise for the most.
- 43 touches in the opponents box, fifth-most, behind Lamine Yamal (52), Mbappé (52), Mikel Oyarzabal (47), and Vini Júnior (44).
- Messi has generated 11 chances from set pieces, the most of any player.
- He has taken 8 shots from direct free kicks, most in the tournament.
- Messi has 4 direct free kick shot attempts on target, the top mark.
- He has taken 34 corners, second-most behind Canada’s Stephen Eustáquio with 44.
- Messi has participated in 13 sequences ending with a goal, the most of any player.
- He has had 121 sequences with nine or more passes, the most among forwards and 35 more than the next-closest, Lamine Yamal (86).
- He has been part of 256 sequences ending in the attacking third, second-most behind Rodri (257).
- Messi has scored a goal every 77.5 minutes, third-best rate among players with at least five matches and four goals, trailing Erling Haaland (66.4) and Mbappé (76).
- Messi has scored 21 goals, the most by any player in World Cup history across men’s and women’s tournaments.
- He has 12 assists, the most on record at the World Cup since 1966.
- He has scored or assisted in 11 straight World Cup matches, the longest run on record since 1966.
- Against Algeria, he became the oldest player to score a hat trick at a World Cup at 39.
- Messi has played 33 matches and won 23, both World Cup records.
- With his assist against Egypt, he became the first to record an assist in six different World Cups.
- He joined Mbappé as the only players to score seven goals in multiple World Cups.
- He has scored against 15 different opponents at the World Cup, the most of any player.
- He is up to 17 non-penalty World Cup goals, tied with Mbappé for the most in tournament history.
The World Cup final between Argentina and Spain on July 19 will be broadcast worldwide, with coverage details available through FIFA.
For more on betting markets and odds across major sports, including football and soccer, see the latest analysis in NFL Week 2 best bets: Picks, spreads and projections.
Fans following Messi’s club career can also find official information and updates through Inter Miami CF.
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