Argentine captain Lionel Messi has once again cemented his status as one of football’s greatest icons after rewriting the FIFA World Cup record books during Argentina’s dramatic 3-2 extra time victory over Cape Verde in the Round of 32 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The 39 year old delivered another match winning performance by scoring for Argentina and leading the defending champions into the Round of 16. His goal was not only decisive for his team but also saw him achieve a remarkable collection of historic milestones that placed him ahead of football legends including Pelé and Kylian Mbappé.
Messi’s strike took his total World Cup knockout stage goal contributions to 12, made up of six goals and six assists. That record moves him ahead of both Pelé and Mbappé, who each managed 11 goal involvements in knockout matches since detailed records began in 1966. It also made him the first player in World Cup history to score 20 goals in the competition while becoming the only footballer to have found the net in every stage of the tournament, from the group phase through to the final. ..READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE .
The appearance against Cape Verde was equally significant as it marked Messi’s 30th World Cup match, extending his own record as the player with the most appearances in the history of the competition. He also became the first footballer to score in eight consecutive World Cup matches, further demonstrating his extraordinary consistency on football’s biggest stage.
Another major milestone came as Messi became the first player ever to score at least seven goals in two different World Cup tournaments, having achieved the feat in both the 2022 and 2026 editions. His goal against Cape Verde also made him the highest scoring player against African nations in FIFA World Cup history with seven goals.
The Argentine superstar added another Player of the Match award to his collection, bringing his total to 14, the highest by any player since the honour was introduced. He also became the first footballer since official records began in 1966 to score in five consecutive World Cup knockout matches, underlining his remarkable ability to deliver when the stakes are at their highest.
Despite the victory, Messi admitted Argentina were pushed to the limit by tournament debutants Cape Verde. He praised the African side for their resilience and revealed that his team expected a difficult encounter after watching their impressive performances earlier in the tournament.
According to Messi, Argentina believed taking the lead would allow them to dominate the game, but instead they lost control for periods as Cape Verde fought back with determination. He acknowledged that knockout football offers no easy matches and commended their opponents for proving they belonged on the world stage.
Argentina will now face Egypt in the Round of 16 as Messi continues his pursuit of another World Cup title. With each match, the legendary forward continues to redefine football history, adding new chapters to a career that many already regard as the greatest the sport has ever witnessed.
