Lionel Messi’s Unique Playing Style at 39 Raises Questions Ahead of Tougher World Cup Matches

Lionel Messi, widely regarded as the greatest footballer in history, has displayed an unusual playing style at the 2026 World Cup by rarely running on the pitch. At 39 years old, Messi conserves energy by walking for the majority of the game, a stark contrast to the high-intensity movement expected from modern forwards. For example, he walked 89.6% of the time in a match against Algeria, scoring a hat-trick while sprinting only 60 meters. Against Austria, he walked 88.7% of the time and ran less than one kilometer in total. In a 120-minute game versus Cape Verde, he spent 92% of the time walking. Overall, Messi has sprinted just 220 meters in the tournament so far.

Despite this, Messi has scored seven goals and provided no assists, a rare stat for a player who has traditionally been the central playmaker. His role has shifted to a freer position, moving across the field to capitalize on teammates’ work rather than pressing or running constantly. This approach has worked against relatively weaker teams such as Algeria, Austria, Jordan, and Cape Verde, who have limited World Cup success and posed minimal threat.

However, concerns arise as Argentina faces stronger opponents like Colombia in the quarterfinals. Messi’s limited movement contrasts sharply with the modern football trend of continuous running and high pressing, exemplified by teams like Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal. PSG’s recent Champions League win featured players running over 9.5 kilometers per match, highlighting the physical demands of top-level football.

While Messi’s genius allows him to influence games with minimal physical exertion, Argentina’s overall team performance and fitness levels will be critical against tougher competition. In the 2022 World Cup, Messi combined his skill with teammates who covered more ground defensively and offensively, a dynamic that may be harder to replicate now given some players’ diminished form. Ultimately, the question is not just how much Messi runs, but how well the entire team supports him as they advance in the tournament.