Lionel Messi Sets New Record for Most Goal Contributions in FIFA World Cup Knockout Matches

Messi Achieves Historic Milestone

Iconic footballer Lionel Messi has made history by becoming the player with the highest number of goal contributions in FIFA World Cup knockout matches. During the second semifinal of the FIFA World Cup 2026, held on July 15 in Atlanta, Messi, now 39, provided two assists to his teammates in a match where Argentina triumphed over England with a score of 2-1. This achievement brings his total to 17 goal contributions in 16 knockout games across six World Cup tournaments.

Messi's Record-Breaking Contributions

Messi's impressive tally includes 10 assists and seven goals in knockout rounds. Following him is France's Kylian Mbappe, who has made 15 goal contributions in 12 knockout matches, scoring 12 goals and assisting three. Notably, Mbappe is the only player to have netted a hat-trick in a World Cup final and has scored in multiple finals, joining an elite group of five players.

Leading Argentina to Glory

In the current FIFA World Cup, Messi has been instrumental in Argentina's success, leading them to seven victories, which ties the record set by Brazil in 2002 for the most wins in a single tournament. Furthermore, he has become the first player ever to guide a team to three World Cup finals, having previously led Argentina to the finals in 2014 and 2022, and now in 2026.