Lionel Messi sets more records as Argentina advance in World Cup 2026 qualifiers

Lionel Messi etched his name further into football history as Argentina continued their World Cup 2026 campaign, with the BBC reporting that the legendary forward set more records during the latest round of matches for the defending champions.

Messi, who led Argentina to their third World Cup title in Qatar in 2022, has shown no signs of diminishing his impact on the international stage. Each appearance in an Argentina shirt now brings the possibility of yet another statistical milestone for the 37-year-old, who is widely regarded as the greatest footballer of all time. The specific records he set were confirmed by BBC Sport in their match coverage.

Argentina enter the 2026 World Cup — to be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico — as one of the tournament favourites. Their qualification campaign has been a showcase for the continued strength of South American football, with Messi at its centre.

For Indian football fans, Messi remains the most followed player in the world, and his performances command attention far beyond South America. The 2026 World Cup will be widely broadcast and followed in India, and Argentina's progress — with Messi potentially playing in what could be his final tournament — will be a central narrative of the competition.