Lionel Messi World Cup 2026: Stats, Records, Goals & Assists
Lionel Messi is back for his sixth and likely final World Cup, and he started it with the first World Cup hat trick of his career.
This guide gives you every number that matters: his 2026 stats so far, his full career record across six tournaments, the goals, the assists, and the records he has set along the way.
The 2026 section updates as Argentina play more matches, so you always get the current totals.
Lionel Messi World Cup 2026 Stats So Far
Messi opened Argentina’s title defense against Algeria on June 17, 2026, at Kansas City Stadium. He scored three times in a 3-0 win, completing the first World Cup hat trick of his 23-year career. The match was also his 200th appearance for Argentina.
That hat trick lifted his all-time World Cup goal tally to 16, which ties the legendary Miroslav Klose for the most goals in men’s World Cup history.
Here is his 2026 line as it stands:
| Stat | 2026 Total |
|---|---|
| Matches played | 1 |
| Goals | 3 |
| Assists | 0 |
| Hat tricks | 1 |
| Minutes played | 76 |
Messi was substituted in the 76th minute to a standing ovation, with the result already secure. His goals came inside the box, off a rebound, and from a curling finish outside the area on the counterattack.
Lionel Messi World Cup Career Stats
Messi made his World Cup debut in 2006 as an 18-year-old substitute. He has now featured in six tournaments, more than any player in history alongside Cristiano Ronaldo. The table below shows his record in each edition.
| Year | Host | Apps | Goals | Assists | Argentina Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Germany | 3 | 1 | 1 | Quarter-finals |
| 2010 | South Africa | 5 | 0 | 1 | Quarter-finals |
| 2014 | Brazil | 7 | 4 | 1 | Runners-up |
| 2018 | Russia | 4 | 1 | 2 | Round of 16 |
| 2022 | Qatar | 7 | 7 | 3 | Champions |
| 2026 | USA/Canada/Mexico | 1 | 3 | 0 | In progress |
| Total | 27 | 16 | 8 |
Across all six tournaments, Messi has now played 27 World Cup matches, scored 16 goals, and provided 8 assists.
Lionel Messi World Cup Goals
Messi has scored 16 World Cup goals in total. His most productive single tournament came in 2022, when he netted seven times on the way to the trophy. Here is how his goals break down by year:
- 2006: 1 goal, against Serbia and Montenegro on his debut.
- 2010: 0 goals across five matches.
- 2014: 4 goals, against Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iran, and Nigeria (twice).
- 2018: 1 goal, against Nigeria.
- 2022: 7 goals, including two in the final against France.
- 2026: 3 goals so far, all in the opening hat trick against Algeria.
His 16th career goal against Algeria pulled him level with Klose at the top of the all-time men’s World Cup scoring chart.
Lionel Messi World Cup Assists
Messi has set up 8 World Cup goals across his career, which puts him level with Diego Maradona for the most in the modern era of verified tracking. He is also the only player ever to register an assist in five different World Cups. His closest challengers, including Pele, Maradona, David Beckham, and Grzegorz Lato, managed assists in three editions each.
His biggest assist haul came in 2022, when he supplied three goals during Argentina’s winning run. One more assist in 2026 would give him the outright modern record.
Lionel Messi World Cup Records
Messi holds or shares a long list of World Cup records. These are the headline numbers:
- Most World Cup goals (men’s): 16, tied with Miroslav Klose.
- Most World Cup appearances: 27, the most by any player in history.
- Most World Cup tournaments: 6, shared with Cristiano Ronaldo.
- Most World Cup minutes played of any outfield player in history.
- Only player to assist in five different World Cups.
- Most assists in the modern era: 8, tied with Maradona.
- Only player with two World Cup Golden Balls (2014 and 2022).
- First player to score in the group stage, round of 16, quarter-final, semi-final, and final of a single World Cup (2022).
- Argentina’s all-time leading World Cup scorer.
- Most Player of the Match awards in World Cup history.
He added another milestone in 2026 by recording the first World Cup hat trick of his career in his opening match.
What Comes Next for Messi in 2026
Argentina continue their Group J campaign after the Algeria opener. As the defending champions, they are among the favorites to reach the latter stages, which would give Messi more chances to break the outright goalscoring and assist records. This page will update with his new totals after every Argentina match, so check back for the latest numbers.
Also Check: Argentina World Cup 2026 Squad
FAQ About Lionel Messi World Cup 2026
Is the 2026 World Cup Messi’s last?
Most signs point to yes. Messi is 38 and has described the 2026 tournament as the closing chapter of his international career. He has not confirmed a hard retirement date, but he is widely expected to step away from World Cup football after this edition, making every match a potential farewell appearance.
How old is Messi during the 2026 World Cup?
Messi is 38 years old during the group stage and turns 39 on June 24, 2026, midway through the tournament. He is one of the oldest outfield players in Argentina’s squad, yet he remains the team’s captain and creative leader heading into the knockout rounds.
What number does Messi wear for Argentina?
Messi wears the number 10 shirt for Argentina. He has worn it for most of his international career and inherited the iconic number once associated with Diego Maradona. The number 10 has become closely tied to his identity as Argentina’s captain and main playmaker.
Which club does Messi play for in 2026?
Messi plays for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer. He joined the club in 2023 and helped them win the MLS title in 2025. He arrived at the 2026 World Cup in strong form after another high-scoring league season in the United States.
Has Messi ever won the World Cup?
Yes. Messi won the World Cup with Argentina in 2022, beating France in the final on penalties in Qatar. It was Argentina’s third world title and their first since 1986. He also reached the final in 2014, where Argentina lost to Germany after extra time.
Who else has played in six World Cups?
Cristiano Ronaldo is the only other player to feature in six World Cups. Both Messi and Ronaldo made their tournament debuts in 2006 and reached the milestone together in 2026. No other player in the history of the competition has appeared in six separate editions.
Where can I watch Messi play at the 2026 World Cup?
Argentina’s matches are carried by the official World Cup broadcasters in each country. In the United States, coverage runs on FOX and Telemundo. The first ten minutes of every match also stream free on broadcaster channels through YouTube, one of the tournament’s preferred platforms.
