Lionel Messi's presence in the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been marked by exceptional performance, with his contributions extending far beyond his eight goals and four assists. Through seven games, the 39-year-old forward has demonstrated a remarkable versatility, excelling in areas such as through balls, take-ons, and possessions won, according to advanced metrics.

Messi is currently favored to win his third Golden Ball award and is among the top contenders for the Golden Boot. His eight goals are tied for the most in the tournament, matching Kylian Mbappé. He also leads or ranks highly in several other offensive categories.

Offensive Statistics

Messi's goal-scoring prowess is highlighted by his two goals from outside the box, a feat matched by a few other players. He has taken the most shots in the tournament with 34, and his 18 shots on target are second only to Mbappé. His expected goals (xG) value stands at 5.31, the second-highest, indicating the quality of scoring chances he has generated. His expected goals on target are also among the highest, placing him third in this category.

In terms of playmaking, Messi's four assists are tied for the second-most. He leads all players in crosses completed (19) and total crosses attempted (49). His 21 key passes, passes that directly lead to a shot, are also a tournament high. He has made 158 passes in the attacking third, second only to Pedri. Furthermore, his expected assists (xA) of 4.12 is the highest in the competition, suggesting his passes have a high probability of resulting in goals.

Dribbling and Possession

Messi's individual brilliance is further evident in his dribbling statistics. He has completed 25 dribbles, the most of any player, and has attempted 48 take-ons, second only to Yamal. He has recorded 14 possessions that ended with a goal, and 170 possessions ending in the attacking third, placing him third in this metric. Notably, 76 of his possessions have ended in a shot, the most by any player. His average possession time of 63.6 seconds per possession is the second-longest among forwards who have played a minimum of 400 minutes.

Chance Creation and Set Pieces

Messi has created 25 chances, the most for any player, and has registered eight big chances created, also a tournament high. He has delivered 15 through balls, tied with Michael Olise, and has had 43 touches in the opponent's box, placing him fifth in this category. His proficiency in set-piece situations is also notable, with 11 chances created from set pieces and eight direct free-kick shots attempted, both leading the tournament. He has also taken 34 corners, the second-most.

Historical World Cup Achievements

Beyond his current tournament performance, Messi has achieved several historic milestones in World Cup history. He has been involved in 13 sequences ending with a goal, the most of any player. He has also been involved in 121 sequences with nine or more passes, significantly more than other forwards. His scoring average of a goal every 77.5 minutes is the third-best among qualified players.

Messi holds the record for the most goals (21) and assists (12) in World Cup history for men or women. He has scored or assisted in 11 consecutive World Cup matches, the longest streak on record. He became the oldest player to score a hat trick at 39 years old and has played and won the most matches in World Cup history. Messi is also the first player to register an assist in six different World Cups and is one of two players to score seven goals in multiple World Cups. He has scored against 15 different opponents, the most in World Cup history, and his 17 non-penalty goals are tied with Mbappé for the most all-time.