Lionel Messi has set a new benchmark. The Argentine captain now holds the record for the most assists in FIFA World Cup history. The milestone came during Argentina's 3-2 victory over Egypt in the 2026 tournament's Round of 16. Messi's ninth career World Cup assist surpassed the previous record of eight, held by Diego Maradona.
This achievement adds to his already dominant tournament legacy. Messi is also the World Cup's all-time leading scorer with 21 goals across five competitions. His dual threat as a playmaker and goalscorer is shaping Argentina's campaign and influencing betting markets. Prediction markets currently reflect a 38% probability for Messi to win the Golden Boot, a figure that has increased following his record-breaking performance.