Lionel Messi could chase a Messi Pelé record at the FIFA World Cup 2026, with the Argentina captain three assists away from passing the Brazilian great.
Pelé holds the all-time World Cup assists record with 10, recorded across tournaments from 1958 to 1970. Messi has eight World Cup assists across five editions, including the 2022 title in Qatar.
Messi’s first World Cup assist came in 2006. He added one in 2010, one in 2014, two in 2018 and three more during Argentina’s 2022 title run.
The 38-year-old also leads Pelé on the World Cup scoring list, with 13 goals to Pelé’s 12.
Argentina will open their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign against Algeria on June 16. Lionel Scaloni’s side will then face Austria on June 22 and Jordan on June 27.
Messi gave Argentina an injury scare on May 24 after leaving Inter Miami’s match against Philadelphia Union. Inter Miami later said tests showed a strain in his left hamstring, likely linked to muscle fatigue.
Read: Messi Hamstring Fatigue Confirmed Before World Cup
The injury is not expected to threaten Messi’s participation in the World Cup. The tournament will run from June 11 to July 19 in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
