Making of a king: Messi stands alone as World Cup’s greatest creator
By Joel Masibo, July 8, 2026Few players in football history have matched Lionel Messi’s ability to create goals on the biggest stage, and the Argentine superstar has now achieved something no one else has managed at the FIFA World Cup.
When David Beckham supplied Peter Crouch with a pinpoint cross during England’s 2-0 victory over Trinidad and Tobago at the 2006 World Cup, he entered an exclusive group. Beckham became only the fourth player to provide assists in three different World Cup tournaments, joining Pele, Grzegorz Lato and Diego Maradona.
Messi’s arrival
Just a day later, however, a young Argentine began a journey that would eventually leave that milestone far behind.
At only 18 years old, Messi arrived in Germany carrying enormous expectations. Widely viewed as Maradona’s successor, the Barcelona youngster was already attracting global attention, with Ronaldinho famously admitting that Messi was the finest player at the Spanish club despite Ronaldinho himself being recognised as the world’s best.
Argentina coach Jose Pekerman initially left the teenager on the bench for the opening match against Côte d’Ivoire. Messi’s opportunity finally came during the convincing group-stage victory over Serbia and Montenegro, replacing fellow Rosario-born midfielder Maxi Rodriguez late in the contest.
His impact was almost immediate.
Within minutes of entering the field, Messi produced his first World Cup assist. After exchanging passes with Juan Roman Riquelme, he burst into the penalty area before delivering a low cross that Hernan Crespo converted from close range. The youngster later added his first World Cup goal, but it was the assist that marked the beginning of an extraordinary record.
Argentina’s campaign ended in the quarter-finals against Germany, and four years later the South Americans again suffered elimination at the same stage to the same opponents in South Africa.
Despite the disappointment, Messi still contributed creatively, setting up Carlos Tevez’s opening goal in Argentina’s Round of 16 victory over Mexico.
His playmaking brilliance continued at Brazil 2014.
Facing Switzerland in extra time with penalties looming, Messi produced a trademark dribble through the middle before slipping a perfectly weighted pass to Angel Di Maria, whose finish secured Argentina’s place in the quarter-finals.
By then, Messi had equalled the World Cup assist record shared by Pele, Lato, Maradona and Beckham.
He moved ahead of all of them at Russia 2018.
Although Argentina exited after a dramatic defeat to France, Messi registered two assists in that thrilling encounter, creating goals for Gabriel Mercado and Angel Di Maria.
Reaching greater heights
He reached even greater heights in Qatar four years later.
Alongside scoring seven goals during Argentina’s triumphant run to the 2022 World Cup title, Messi also provided three assists. His vision and creativity proved just as influential as his finishing, helping end the nation’s 36-year wait for football’s biggest prize.
Now, at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the Argentine captain has extended his remarkable record even further.
During Argentina’s dramatic comeback victory over Egypt in the Round of 16 on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, Messi delivered the cross that Cristian Romero headed into the net before scoring himself with a superb half-volley. That assist made him the first footballer ever to register assists in six different FIFA World Cup tournaments.
Across two decades on football’s grandest stage, Messi has consistently demonstrated that creating goals can be just as decisive as scoring them, cementing his status as the greatest playmaker in World Cup history.