FULL LIST: World Cup Records Messi Holds and Those He’s Still Chasing

• Lionel Messi’s historic hat-trick against Algeria at the 2026 FIFA World Cup added more milestones to his legendary career, with the Argentine now holding multiple tournament records while still chasing a few more

Lionel Messi continues to rewrite football history after producing a sensational hat-trick in Argentina’s 3-0 victory over Algeria at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The performance not only helped Argentina begin their title defence in style but also strengthened Messi’s grip on several World Cup records while bringing him closer to setting even more milestones.

At 38 years old, the Argentine captain remains one of the tournament’s biggest stars and continues to add to an already unmatched legacy.

Here is the full list of World Cup records Messi currently holds and those he is still chasing:

Records Messi Already Holds

• Only player to feature in six World Cups (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022 and 2026).
• Most World Cup appearances as captain with 20 matches.
• Most minutes played in World Cup history with 2,404 minutes, surpassing Paolo Maldini.
• Only player to score against 11 different national teams at the World Cup.
• Oldest player to score a World Cup hat-trick at 38 years and 357 days.
• Only player to score in his teens, twenties and thirties in World Cup history.
• Longest gap between first and latest World Cup goals — exactly 20 years apart.
• Only player to score in every stage of a single World Cup tournament, achieved in Qatar 2022.
• Only player to win the adidas Golden Ball twice, in 2014 and 2022.
• Most Player of the Match awards at the World Cup with 12.
• Only player to register assists in five different World Cups.
• Most long-range World Cup goals with six strikes from outside the box.

Records Messi Shares

• Joint all-time World Cup top scorer with 16 goals, tied with Germany’s Miroslav Klose.
• Joint record for World Cup victories with 17 wins, also level with Klose.
• Joint record for most knockout-stage assists with six.
• Joint record for most World Cup goal contributions with Brazilian legend Pelé.

Records Messi Is Still Chasing

• Most World Cup goals outright: One more goal would see Messi move ahead of Klose and become the tournament’s sole leading scorer.

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• Most World Cup appearances: Messi currently has 27 matches and is on course to become the first player to reach 30 appearances.
• More World Cup wins: Another victory would give him sole ownership of the record.
• Back-to-back World Cup titles: Messi could become one of the few captains in history to successfully defend a World Cup crown after lifting the trophy in Qatar 2022.

With Argentina still in the tournament, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has more opportunities to extend his remarkable record book.

Even in what could be his final World Cup appearance, Messi continues to prove why many consider him the greatest player in football history.