​Lionel Messi has once again been at the forefront of Argentina’s World Cup charge, and he is now inching closer to a record held by Diego Maradona. The 39-year-old star remains very much in the running for the World Cup Golden Boot alongside Kylian Mbappe, with both players on eight goals after six matches. Up next for Messi is a historic first-ever meeting with England in the semi-finals, where he will once again be aiming to add to his goal tally.
England should be wary of the Argentine phenomenon’s current form, especially after he surpassed a long-standing World Cup record. Data from Opta Joe shows that Messi now boasts the second-most shot involvements in a single World Cup campaign, with 54 entries in this tournament so far. That figure breaks down to 33 shots and 21 chances created, the most any player has managed in a single World Cup campaign since Maradona’s 1986 triumph.
In 1986, Maradona racked up 29 shots and 30 chances created, a benchmark that has stood for decades as a high-water mark in the competition. But Messi is now well positioned to surpass that record when he steps onto the field on Wednesday to face England in the semi-finals. Although the Barcelona legend has never faced England before in a World Cup match, his motivation remains sky-high as he seeks to guide Argentina to another final and further cement his legacy on the world stage.
Messi is already recognized as the World Cup’s top scorer of this era, and he looks poised to push past yet another barrier. With his Argentina teammates counting on him, the Inter Miami forward continues to drive his nation toward a potential second World Cup final appearance in a generation. The anticipation surrounding this clash with England is immense, as fans and analysts alike watch to see whether Messi can add another chapter to his remarkable World Cup career.
As the semi-final showdown approaches, all eyes will be on Messi to determine whether he can extend his record-breaking run and push Argentina toward glory. The prospect of Messi versus England—two storied footballing nations meeting in such a pivotal stage—adds extra spice to a match that promises to be a defining moment in this World Cup. The narrative is as compelling as the football itself, with Messi’s pursuit of history adding an extra layer of drama to an already high-stakes contest.
Argentina’s path to the final remains highly contingent on Messi’s consistency, creativity, and goal-scoring prowess. And as the semi-final looms, the football world waits to see whether Messi can deliver another stellar performance that could alter the trajectory of Argentina’s campaign and possibly etch his name deeper into World Cup lore.