Messi Leads Argentina to World Cup Final with Stellar Performance

Four years ago, many thought Lionel Messi's World Cup story ended there. At 35, he had finally won the World Cup. He had said it would be his last World Cup match. In the eyes of many, that success had already established him as the greatest player in football history (GOAT).

Four years before that, at 31, many (even those close to him) believed Messi had played his last World Cup match and would end his international career without winning the World Cup.

But now, 39-year-old Messi is once again at the center of the World Cup. He put in an excellent performance against England, leading Argentina to the World Cup final for the second consecutive time.

In the 2-1 comeback victory against England, Messi provided two assists. With this, he has scored four assists and eight goals in the 2026 World Cup.

He is the joint top scorer in the tournament and second in the assists list. Argentina will now play Spain in the final on Sunday in New Jersey. This is the same Spain where Messi spent most of his club career with Barcelona.

Argentina's head coach Lionel Scaloni said, 'He is the best player in history. I don't know what else he needs to do to prove it. Most Spanish fans also love him.'

BBC analyst Micah Richards said, 'Argentina has Lionel Messi. He is the GOAT, the greatest player of all time.

'Games like these are won by moments. We thought the decisive moment might be Jude Bellingham or Harry Kane. But that's why Messi is the king.'

How did Messi break England's dream?

Messi, a former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain forward, had never played against England before in his career. Now, coach Thomas Tuchel and England fans might wish that fact were still true.

Comparatively, the entire England team made only seven successful dribbles. Messi touched the ball inside the opponent's penalty area seven times, which was equal to the combined number of the entire England team. The four chances he created were also equal to the entire England team.

In the first half, Messi showed some excellent touches and mostly played in the midfield. But after Anthony Gordon gave England the lead in the 55th minute, Argentina fully woke up.

England became defensive after Tuchel brought on more defenders. For the next 37 minutes, Argentina controlled 88 percent of the ball.

At that time, Messi moved to the right wing and changed the course of the game. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez said, 'Moving Messi to the wing proved decisive for us.'

Messi made nine successful dribbles in the game and assisted two goals. According to statistics available since 1966, he is the first player to achieve nine dribbles and two assists in a single World Cup knockout stage match.

Comparatively, the entire England team made only seven successful dribbles. Messi touched the ball inside the opponent's penalty area seven times, which was equal to the combined number of the entire England team. The four chances he created were also equal to the entire England team.

In addition, he made the most crosses in the game with nine. But most importantly, Messi was the basis for both of Argentina's goals. In the 85th minute, he passed to Enzo Fernandez from a corner, who scored the equalizer with a powerful shot from outside the penalty area.

Then, in injury time, Lautaro Martinez scored the winning goal with a header from Messi's excellent cross. Richards said, 'He looks like he's walking around most of the time. But as soon as the ball reaches his feet, he comes alive. That talent makes the difference in the game.'

Former England goalkeeper Joe Hart said, 'England adopted a defensive strategy like they did against Mexico and Norway. But that freed up Messi. He had the key to unlock it, and he controlled the game alone in the last 15 minutes.'

England captain Harry Kane said, 'We controlled him well for most of the game. But the world's most dangerous players can create anything when they get the ball. That's why he is one of the greatest players of all time.'

Will Messi also win the Golden Boot?

With this World Cup, Messi has become the all-time top scorer in World Cup history with 21 goals. He has scored a total of 125 goals in international football for Argentina.

Interestingly, 15 of those 21 goals were scored after he turned 35. He has scored eight goals in this World Cup. In 2022, he scored seven goals, which was one goal less than the Golden Boot winner Kylian Mbappé at the time.

This time, both Messi and Mbappé have scored eight goals each. Since France will play England for third place on Saturday, Mbappé has an opportunity to increase his goal count.

England's Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane also have six goals each. If the goal count is equal, assists will be the deciding factor. Messi has four assists, while Mbappé has three.

Not only that, Messi could also become the player with the most assists in this World Cup. He is only one assist behind the top-ranked player, France's Michael Olise. Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson said, 'He is truly a little magician. He has been doing this throughout this tournament. Not just the goals he has scored, but the balls he has delivered into the opponent's box are also incredible.'

Will Messi never rest?

Many have forgotten that in 2016, 29-year-old Messi, playing for Barcelona, had announced his retirement from international football.

At that time, he had already lost the 2014 World Cup final and three consecutive Copa America finals. But after reversing his decision, he won two Copa Americas.

After winning the Qatar World Cup in 2022 while playing for Paris Saint-Germain, many thought his last unfulfilled dream had also come true.

After that, in 2023, he left Europe and moved to Inter Miami. Many had predicted that his career was slowly coming to an end. Even during last year's FIFA Club World Cup, it was uncertain whether he would play in the 2026 World Cup.

But even now, he appears unstoppable, although his playing style has changed. Before the match against England, 47 percent of the total distance he covered in this World Cup was spent walking. This is the highest proportion among all outfield players in the tournament.

According to Spanish journalist Guillem Balagué, Messi has changed his playing style at least five times in his career.

Currently, Messi has scored or assisted in 13 consecutive matches for Inter Miami and Argentina. If he scores or assists in the final against Spain, he will equal his own record of contributing to goals in 14 consecutive matches, set in 2011. Along with that, he will also become the second player after Brazil's Cafu to play in three World Cup finals.

Will this be his last World Cup match?

After all, he will be 43 years old when the 2030 World Cup takes place. But in the case of Messi, an eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, one has to think twice before making any assumptions.

Emlin Begley/ BBC Sport Journalist