Lionel Messi Dominates 2026 World Cup Stats, Outshining Mbappe and Bellingham

As the 2026 World Cup approaches its thrilling semifinals, advanced statistics highlight Lionel Messi's extraordinary performance, placing him well above other stars like Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham. Messi leads Argentina in every major category, including goals, assists, key passes, successful dribbles per 90 minutes, chances created, big chances created, and accurate crosses. This dominance is unprecedented compared to other finalists, where no player leads their team in more than two categories.

Messi shares the tournament's top scorer title with Mbappe, both netting eight goals. However, Messi tops the WhoScored ratings with a remarkable 9.15, followed by Mbappe at 8.36, Erling Haaland at 8.14, and Bellingham at 7.96. The second-best Argentine player by rating is Lisandro Martinez with 7.66. Messi also leads the tournament in shots on goal with 33, ahead of Mbappe's 30 and others like Lamin Yamal and Harry Kane.

In terms of expected goals (xG), Messi ranks first with 6.15, significantly ahead of Mbappe's 5.16. He also leads in creating scoring opportunities, with 21 chances created, surpassing players like Leandro Trossard and Achraf Hakimi, who each have 17. Messi's performance cements his status as the all-time top scorer and assist provider in World Cup history.

Looking ahead, Messi aims to continue his remarkable run in the upcoming quarterfinal match against England, scheduled for Wednesday at 22:00, marking his first-ever World Cup encounter with the English team.