Lionel Messi breaks World Cup appearances record en route to glory in Qatar
The IndependentSign up to Miguel Delaney’s Reading the Game newsletter sent straight to your inbox for free Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Lionel Messi broke the record for the most World Cup appearances as he inspired Argentina to victory against France in Sunday’s final. 2010 Appearances: 5Goals: 0 By now a fully-fledged starter and wearing his trademark number 10 shirt, Messi played every minute of Argentina’s campaign but was kept off the scoresheet in all five games. Messi’s spot-kick in the final made him the first player to score in the group stage, last 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals and final at the same World Cup. All-time appearances: 26 Goals: 13 Messi’s 21 combined goals and assists in World Cups – 13 goals and eight assists – are the most of any player on record according to data supplier Opta, which has assist data as far back as the 1966 tournament.