​Can they achieve it? This Thursday evening marks the start of the quarter-finals, with the spotlight firmly on Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi. While the two veterans continue their high-stakes duel for the leading scorer title, another legendary milestone remains within reach for both stars. Since the tournament began, Mbappé and Messi have been pivotal in every match they have played, and now they set their sights on matching two Brazilian greats who left an indelible mark on World Cup history.
Pelé and Jairzinho are the last players to have contributed decisively in every game of a single World Cup campaign. Pelé achieved this feat in 1970 as Brazil claimed a third World Cup title, relying on a combination of goals and assists to influence every match. Jairzinho, on the other hand, sealed the record by scoring in every game of the tournament, a testament to his explosive form during that victorious campaign.
Mbappé finds himself in a position reminiscent of Pelé’s remarkable run. The Frenchman has found the back of the net in multiple matches—scoring against Senegal (twice), Iraq (twice), Sweden (twice), and Paraguay (once)—but he also provided two assists against Norway without scoring himself. This balance of goals and creative contribution mirrors the essence of Pelé’s record, underscoring Mbappé’s all-around impact on the tournament.
Messi, meanwhile, has consistently found the net in every match he has played so far. His goal-scoring tally includes three against Algeria, two against Austria, and single goals against Jordan, Cape Verde, and Egypt. Messi’s relentless production demonstrates a level of consistency that keeps him squarely in the pursuit of the same historic standard.
With the quarter-finals imminent, fans and analysts alike are debating whether Mbappé and Messi can push their performances to the level required to match these legendary records. Can they replicate the consistency of Pelé and Jairzinho by contributing decisively in every match of a World Cup and, in doing so, leave an equally enduring mark on football history?
This article has been translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in French here for better SEO. The request requires a minimum of 500 words.