Lionel Messi has achieved a historic first in football. The Argentine forward is the first player to reach the knockout stages in six consecutive FIFA World Cups, from Germany in 2006 to the 2026 tournament in North America.
His 2026 campaign has been record-breaking. He became the first player to score in seven straight World Cup matches on June 28, 2026. During the group stage, he scored a hat-trick and a free-kick goal.
Messi, who turned 39 on June 24, 2026, has now played in 27 career World Cup matches.
The performance has impacted related crypto markets. The Argentina fan token, $ARG, on the Chiliz platform saw trading volume increase directly tied to the team's success.
Fan tokens like $ARG offer holders voting rights on minor club decisions. However, they remain a niche crypto segment with thin liquidity, leading to volatile price swings tied to tournament results.