Messi Rewrites the History of the 2026 World Cup: Record Streak and a Race with Mbappé

The 2026 FIFA World Cup has already entered its decisive phase, and following the conclusion of the first three rounds of the group stage, the tournament's statistics have presented the world with a true sensation. A sole leader has emerged in the race for the "Golden Boot," while a fierce battle among the superstars of the new generation has unfolded behind him.

A Historic Achievement by the Argentine Captain

The main hero of the opening matches was Lionel Messi. The 39-year-old forward did not just top the scoring charts but also set a unique record that will go down in the history of world football. In the final group stage match against the Jordan national team, which ended with a 3:1 victory for the Argentines, Messi scored a precise goal.

This goal marked his seventh in seven consecutive matches. Thus, the captain of the Argentina national team became the first footballer in World Cup history to score in seven consecutive games. This incredible streak began during the knockout stages of the 2022 World Cup, which Argentina won, starting from the Round of 16.

In this regard, Lionel has surpassed legendary predecessors: French forward Just Fontaine (1958 World Cup) and Brazilian Jairzinho (1970 World Cup), who previously scored in six consecutive matches at a single tournament. At the current World Cup, Messi already has 6 goals to his name.

Record Scoring and the Chasers

The 2026 World Cup will also be remembered for the overall scoring output of the teams. During the three rounds of the group stage, 192 goals were scored, averaging 2.67 goals per game. Behind Messi, a real battle among top players has unfolded, with them trailing the Argentine by two goals.

The closest chaser to the leader is Kylian Mbappé, the top scorer of the previous World Cup. The French forward has 4 goals and 2 assists to his credit. His teammate Ousmane Dembélé and Brazilian Vinícius Júnior have also scored the same number of goals (with 1 assist each). Rounding out the top five is Norwegian striker Erling Haaland, who has scored 4 goals without any assists.