Lionel Messi: Record-breaker in World Cup knockout stages

Lionel Messi is on the verge of making more history as he prepares for the 2026 World Cup semifinal. For the Argentina captain, the clash against England will mark his 16th knockout stage appearance, setting a new record for the most games played in this phase of the tournament. In total, this will be his 33rd match in World Cup history.

Following his triumph in Qatar 2022, the forward continues to be a central figure for his national team in the 2026 edition. His current form in the decisive stages is a stark contrast to his earlier career, when he faced criticism for a lack of goals in knockout matches.

Messi's statistical evolution became evident in Qatar. After scoring his first-ever knockout goal against Australia, he became the driving force behind Argentina's championship run. In the current tournament, he has already found the net against Cape Verde and Egypt, while contributing an assist in the quarterfinal victory over Switzerland.

Messi currently holds 15 direct goal involvements in World Cup knockout games: seven goals and eight assists—the latter being the highest tally ever recorded by a player in the history of the competition. Having surpassed Miroslav Klose for most knockout appearances, Messi looks to extend his legacy in the upcoming semifinal against the English side.