Argentine Lionel Messi (10) (AP Photo)
Lionel Messi added another milestone to his impressive World Cup career on Saturday, becoming the first player in history to score 10 assists in the tournament since records began in 1966. The Argentina captain reached the milestone during his team’s quarter-final match against Switzerland at Arrowhead Stadium, scoring a corner kick in the 10th minute that Alexis McAllister’s header headed into the net.
Most assists in a FIFA World Cup (since 1966)
| Rank | player | nation | Helps |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lionel Messi | Argentina | 10 |
| 2 | Diego Maradona | Argentina | 8 |
| =3 | Pierre Litbarsky | Germany | 7 |
| =3 | Grzegorz Lato | Poland | 7 |
The goal gave Argentina a 1-0 lead and was the first goal scored by the defending champions at the 2026 World Cup. It was also the first time Switzerland had trailed in the tournament, having conceded just three goals in their previous five matches. Messi’s final pass cemented his status as one of the greatest playmakers in World Cup history. He now stands alone at the top of the list of all-time best assists with 10 assists, two goals ahead of his fellow Argentine legend, Diego Maradona. The 39-year-old continued to produce some of the best performances in world football, combining for goals and assists as Argentina chased a historic fourth World Cup title. The defending champion is seeking to become the first country since Brazil in 1962 to retain the FIFA World Cup. Argentina reached the quarter-finals after surviving a tense extra-time win over Cape Verde in the round of 16 before making a dramatic comeback from 2-0 down to beat Egypt by three goals in an 11-minute period. Victory over Switzerland will send Lionel Scaloni’s side into the semi-finals against England, who defeated Norway 2-1 earlier on Saturday. The quarter-final match is scheduled to be held in Atlanta on Wednesday.