Lionel Messi creates new World Cup history

While the Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo just created World Cup history by becoming the first male player to score in five different World Cup tournaments, the Argentine superstar Lionel Messi became the first male player to assist in five different World Cup tournaments.

In-form Argentina started the FIFA World Cup 2022 in a shocking way after losing against Saudi Arabia by 2-1, which ended their 36-match unbeaten streak in a poor way. Though Messi provided the lead for his nation through a successful penalty kick in the first half of that Group C match, the Asian side managed to net successfully twice in the second half to bring an unexpected result in this tournament.  

So, their second match of the group stage became a do-or-die game for them, where Mexico were their opponent. After Messi provided the lead for La Albiceleste in 64 minutes, which was his eighth World Cup goal (including two goals in FIFA World Cup 2022), Enzo Fernandez secured their crucial win by successfully netting in 87 minutes. Messi provided an assist for that second goal as they won by 2-0 to stay alive in this competition.

With that crucial assist, Lionel Messi created new World Cup history as he became the first male player to assist in five different World Cup tournaments. It was his sixth assist in his World Cup career. Before that assist, Messi provided assists in 2006 (1 assist), 2010 (1 assist), 2014 (1 assist) and 2018 (2 assists) World Cup editions.

Also, Messi unsurprisingly won the Man of the Match award at the end of that Mexico match. It was his seventh Man of the Match award in his World Cup career. Just like Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi is the second player to win seven Man of the Match awards in the World Cup, as well as experiencing at least one Man of the Match award in four different World Cup editions.

Also Read | 28 Unknown Facts about Lionel Messi's Life

Most Man of the Match awards in FIFA World Cup history