When Argentina and Croatia square off in the World Cup semi-final on Tuesday at the Lusail Stadium, Lionel Messi will be attempting to shatter four World Cup records.
In a heated quarterfinal matchup last Friday, Argentina defeated the Netherlands 4-3 on penalties after a 2-2 draw after 120 minutes. Messi contributed to both of La Albiceleste's goals in regular time, providing a magnificent assist for Nahuel Molina and then coolly converting a second-half penalty.
The 35-year-old has excelled for his nation in Qatar, where he has contributed to six of their nine goals in five games by scoring four goals and dishing out two assists.
In three different World Cup matches, Messi has both scored and assisted on a goal, including two this year's tournament against the Netherlands and Mexico, as well as in a 6-0 group-stage victory against Serbia and Montenegro back in 2006.
Meanwhile this article takes a look at four records that the Paris Saint-Germain star could break when Argentina face Croatia.
If Messi scores and assists in the match against Croatia, he would make history by being the first player to accomplish it in four different World Cup games since records have been kept in 1966.
With his 12-yard goal against the Netherlands, Messi tied Gabriel Batistuta for the most goals scored by Argentina in the World Cup with 10; but, if he scores against Croatia, the PSG star would surpass Batistuta as the greatest scorer in the country by a wide margin.
Before surpassing Batistuta's World Cup scoring record, Messi outperformed Argentina legend Diego Maradona, who in 21 games on the largest international stage scored eight goals and gave eight assists.
Maradona leads all Argentina players in World Cup assists with eight, but Messi may tie or exceed the 1986 World Cup victor if he helps at least one teammate on Tuesday.
At this year's World Cup, Messi has already smashed two records for assists.
The No. 10 of Argentina assisted Enzo Fernandez on his team's second goal of the match, becoming him the only player in World Cup history to record an assist at five different competitions.
With his assist for Molina's goal against the Netherlands, Messi surpassed Pele of Brazil, who had four assists, to become the first player with five World Cup assists in the knockout stages since records began in 1996.
In 24 World Cup appearances over five tournaments between 2006 and 2022, Messi has tallied 10 goals and 7 assists.
On Tuesday, the PSG striker is anticipated to play in his 25th World Cup match, tying him with legendary Germany midfielder Lothar Matthaus for the most appearances in the tournament's history.
If La Albiceleste defeats either France or Morocco in the World Cup final on Sunday, Messi will surpass all other players in terms of appearances made.
After Argentina's victory over the Netherlands, head coach Lionel Scaloni proclaimed Messi "the best of all time." Messi has played for Argentina in 170 international matches across all competitions, scoring 95 goals and assisting 54 others.
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