Who has most goal contributions in FIFA World Cup: Messi breaks Pele’s record

Messi has 21 goal contributions, 13 goals and 8 assists in 26 matches, and is one ahead of matching Brazilian Pele’s tally of 20 in 14 matches.

Argentina striker Lionel Messi has five goals and three assists at the Qatar World Cup. | Photo Credit: AFP

Argentina’s Lionel Messi matched another record in his final World Cup game in the decider against France on Sunday at the Lusail Stadium.

Messi has 21 goal contributions, 13 goals and 8 assists in 26 matches, and is one ahead of matching Brazilian Pele’s tally of 20 in 14 matches.

The 35-year-old forward went past Germany’s Miroslav Klose (24 matches) and Gerd Muller (13) and Brazil’s Ronaldo Nazario (19) in the final against France.

Messi has seven goals and three assists in the ongoing tournament and is the oldest player to register a goal and an assist in a World Cup game. He has three instances of a goal and an assist in the wins over Mexico, the Netherlands and Croatia.

Lionel Messi is the fourth player dating to 1966 to get to 19 goal involvement at the World Cup.

🇩🇪Miroslav Klose (16 goals, 3 assists)
🇧🇷Ronaldo (15 goals, 4 assists)
🇩🇪Gerd Müller (14 goals, 5 assists)
🇦🇷 Lionel Messi (11 goals, 8 assists)#FIFAWorldCup#ARG#ARGCROpic.twitter.com/bielsOTd6r

— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) December 13, 2022

If Argentina wins the final, it will be Messi’s first-ever World Cup win in five attempts.

Most goal contributions in World Cups (Opta stats)

1. Lionel Messi (Argentina) -21

2. Pele (Brazil) - 20

3. Gerd Muller (Germany) - 19

3. Ronaldo (Brazil) - 19

3. Miroslav Klose (Germany) - 19

4. Grezorgz Lato (Poland) - 18

5. Uwe Seeler (Germany) - 17