He already had the goals record. He already had the appearances record. On Tuesday night in Atlanta, Lionel Messi took the assists record too.
After Argentina's remarkable comeback win against Egypt in the Round of 16, Messi recorded his ninth career World Cup assist, giving him the most assists in World Cup history, surpassing Argentine legend Diego Maradona , who previously held the record with eight.
The record-breaking assist arrived in the most dramatic of circumstances. Argentina were trailing Egypt 2-0 when Messi found Cristian Romero in the box, and the centre-back headed home to pull one back and begin one of the great World Cup comebacks. Messi then scored himself in the 83rd minute with a stunning volley from inside the box, before Enzo Fernández completed the turnaround in stoppage time. Argentina won 3-2, and Messi had touched the game in every way imaginable - record assist, crucial goal, match-winning influence.
Messi's ninth assist gives him the most in World Cup history, with the record previously shared between himself and Maradona at eight apiece.
Croatia's Ivan Perisic was trailing with six assists, but Croatia were eliminated by Portugal in the Round of 16, meaning the record now looks entirely safe.
The numbers keep coming and they keep defying belief. Messi now has 12 career goal contributions in the FIFA World Cup knockout stage, six goals and six assists, passing both Pelé and Kylian Mbappé for the most in the last 60 years on record. He has also become the first player in FIFA World Cup history to score in eight consecutive appearances.
Messi had reached 30 World Cup appearances across six tournaments, the most in history by any player, male or female, at a single World Cup.
At 39 years of age. At his sixth and final World Cup. In a tournament with a larger field and longer travel map than any edition before it.
Maradona set the assists record. Klose set the goals record. Marta held the overall scoring record. One by one, Messi has taken them all. The record books at this World Cup belong entirely to one man and on Tuesday night in Atlanta, he reminded the world exactly why.
