Lionel Messi
The greatest of all time enters his 6th World Cup as defending champion. At 39, Messi's last dance could be the defining moment of an era.
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2025-26 Season
| Competition | Apps | Goals | Assists | Mins |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MLS | 28 | 15 | 12 | 2,200 |
| International | 6 | 3 | 2 | 400 |
World Cup History
Messi's World Cup journey spans five tournaments and 20 years. From scoring as the youngest Argentine at Germany 2006, through the heartbreak of the 2014 final, to the crowning glory of Qatar 2022 where he delivered the greatest individual World Cup performance in modern history: 7 goals, 3 assists, two Golden Balls.
The 2022 final against France may be the greatest World Cup match ever played. Messi scored twice, assisted once, and converted his penalty in the shootout. At 39, he enters 2026 with nothing left to prove but everything left to give. This is almost certainly his final World Cup.
| Tournament | Apps | Goals | Assists | Team Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 Germany | 3 | 1 | 0 | Round of 16 |
| 2010 South Africa | 5 | 0 | 1 | Quarter-finals |
| 2014 Brazil | 7 | 4 | 1 | Runner-up |
| 2018 Russia | 4 | 1 | 2 | Round of 16 |
| 2022 Qatar | 7 | 7 | 3 | WINNER |
Tournament Projection
Based on current form, historical data, and team role.
Player Props
Value Pick
Over 2.5 Tournament Goals looks like the play. Pulisic's 0.62 G/90 rate this season, combined with being the primary creator and penalty taker for a home nation expected to go deep, makes this line hittable. In 2022 he scored the biggest goal of the tournament for the US despite only playing ~240 minutes. With a projected 420+ minutes in 2026, the math favors the over.