Lionel Messi has once again etched his name into football history, equaling Diego Maradona's long-standing record for the most assists by an Argentine player in FIFA World Cup tournaments. This significant milestone was achieved during Argentina's thrilling 3-2 victory over Cabo Verde, a match that secured their progression to the Round of 16 in the 2026 World Cup.
The 39-year-old superstar's pinpoint corner kick led to Lisandro Martinez's crucial goal against Cabo Verde, bringing his total World Cup assists to eight. Maradona, a legendary figure in Argentine football, set this benchmark across his four World Cup appearances between 1982 and 1994.
Messi's Path to Eight World Cup Assists
Messi's journey to this record began early in his World Cup career. His first assist came in his tournament debut in 2006, setting up Hernan Crespo against Serbia and Montenegro. He followed this with an assist for Carlos Tevez in 2010 against Mexico. The 2014 tournament saw him create Angel Di Maria's winner against Switzerland.
In Russia 2018, Messi provided assists for Gabriel Mercado and Di Maria against France. The victorious 2022 Qatar campaign included assists for Julian Alvarez, Nahuel Molina, and Enzo Fernandez. His latest contribution against Cabo Verde highlights his consistent elite playmaking across six editions of football's premier event.
Comparing Two Legends: Messi vs. Maradona
The comparison between Messi and Maradona, two of Argentina's greatest No. 10s, is inevitable. While Maradona's creative genius was central to Argentina's 1986 World Cup triumph, Messi has matched that output while demonstrating extraordinary longevity and sustained excellence over two decades. Maradona's World Cup career spanned 12 years across four tournaments, whereas Messi has maintained elite standards for over 20 years, adapting his role from an explosive winger to a deep-lying playmaker and prolific finisher.
- World Cups Played: Messi (6: 2006–2026), Maradona (4: 1982–1994)
- World Cup Assists: Messi (8), Maradona (8)
- World Cup Titles: Messi (1: 2022), Maradona (1: 1986)
- World Cup Golden Ball: Messi (2: 2014, 2022), Maradona (1: 1986)
Messi's Dominant 2026 World Cup Campaign
Beyond the assist record, Messi's performance in the 2026 World Cup has been nothing short of spectacular. He began his campaign with the first World Cup hat-trick of his career against Algeria, marking his 200th appearance for Argentina. He then scored a clinical brace against Austria and found the net again against Jordan, ensuring Argentina completed the group stage with a perfect record.
Against Cabo Verde in the Round of 32, Messi not only provided the record-equaling assist but also scored a goal himself. Latching onto a long pass from Lisandro Martinez, he calmly chipped goalkeeper Vozinha to give Argentina the lead. This strike also extended another astonishing record: Messi became the first player in FIFA World Cup history to score in eight consecutive matches, a streak dating back to the 2022 World Cup. He also matched Brazil's Vava by scoring in five successive World Cup knockout matches, a record untouched since 1962.
With seven goals already in the tournament, Messi currently leads the race for the Golden Boot, two goals clear of France's Kylian Mbappe. As Argentina continues its title defense, Messi is once again proving his unparalleled ability to make history.