(Football news) The 2022 World Cup witnessed one of the greatest finals in the history of this tournament as Argentina went from 2-0 up to 2-2 to 3-2 up to 3-3 before beating France 4-2 in a penalty shootout. Messi arguably had the best individual World Cup by any player in the history of World Cups. When we think of individuals guiding their country to World Cups, we think of Maradona’s 1986 heroics or Pele’s marvelous performance in 1958 but this World Cup Messi transcended himself into GOAT status by virtually single handedly guiding Argentina to their 3rd World Cup.

When we are talking about breaking records Messi virtually edged himself into the history books as he became the first player to win the Golden Ball award multiple times. Before 2022, he claimed the trophy for the best player when his team finished runner-up in 2014. The boy from Rosario is the only player to score in the group stage, round of 16, quarter-final, semi-final and final in a single edition of the men’s World Cup. Messi has won every competition barring the Coupe de France. Only two players have scored 5+ goals and created 20+ chances in a FIFA World Cup tournament (since 1966) as it was the two icons in Messi in 2022 and Maradona in 1986. Messi’s 21 World Cup goal contributions which include 13 goals and 8 assists are the most by a man at the tournament since 1966.

Messi became the first player ever to win five Player of the Match awards at a single men’s major tournament . He is now tied with France legend Just Fontaine for the fourth-most goals in World Cup history. Messi has subsequently scored 26 goals in major international tournaments for Argentina which include 13 in World Cup, 13 in Copa America and has the most of any South American player in history across the two competitions, overtaking the great Ronaldo Nazario (25). Messi also became the record holder for most games played at the men’s World Cup. and at 35, Messi became the oldest player to score multiple goals (2) in a World Cup final as his second goal in the extra time meant that he scored 100 career goals with his right foot.

“I won the Copa America and the World Cup in a short time, I love what I do, being in the national team, and I want to continue living a few more games being world champion. I am going to take the Cup to Argentina to enjoy it with you. It’s anyone’s childhood dream. I was lucky to have achieved everything in this career … and this one that was missing is here.

“It’s madness … look how she [the World Cup] is, she’s gorgeous. I wanted her so much. I had a vision that this would be the one … she was getting closer. We suffer, but we already have it (the World Cup). I wanted to close my career with this. I can no longer ask for anything else, thank God, he gave me everything

Messi after winning the World Cup

Also read: Lionel Messi leads Argentina to World Cup glory with victory against France