FORT LAUDERDALE — Inter Miami CF captain Leo Messi shattered multiple FIFA World Cup records during Argentina’s run to the 2026 final, scoring eight goals and recording four assists across eight matches before the defending champions fell to Spain.
Messi, 39, became the first player in history to appear in six World Cups and the tournament’s all-time leading men’s goalscorer with 18 career World Cup goals, surpassing Miroslav Klose’s previous record of 16. He opened the tournament with a hat-trick against Algeria — his first in World Cup play — and followed with a brace in Argentina’s 2-0 victory against Austria to notch his record-breaking 17th and 18th goals.
The Inter Miami captain’s dominance extended through every round. He scored in eight consecutive World Cup games, another first, and tallied a goal or an assist in 13 consecutive matches for club and country entering the final. His assist in Argentina’s 3-1 quarterfinal victory against Switzerland gave him 10 career World Cup assists, breaking that record as well. Messi’s 3-2 Round of 32 triumph against Cape Verde saw him reach 30 World Cup appearances, and he closed the tournament with his 34th overall appearance in World Cup history — both unprecedented marks.
Inter Miami midfielder Rodrigo De Paul played in seven of Argentina’s eight matches, starting six times. De Paul recorded an assist for Messi in the group stage opener against Algeria. Argentina finished atop Group J with a 3-1 win over Jordan in their final group fixture before navigating a 3-2 comeback against Egypt in the Round of 16 and a semifinal victory over England.
Inter Miami goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair represented Canada in his second consecutive World Cup after featuring in the 2022 edition. St. Clair was unused throughout the tournament, but Canada delivered the best finish in the nation’s history. The co-hosts earned their first-ever World Cup point with a 1-1 draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina, then routed Qatar 6-0 for a historic first win, finishing Group B with four points and a 1-1-1 record. Canada defeated South Africa with a late winner in the Round of 32 before bowing out against Morocco in the Round of 16.
Messi reached 200 total overall appearances for Argentina during the tournament, extending his record as the nation’s most-capped player. He also recorded 18 World Cup wins, the most by any player in tournament history. All three Inter Miami representatives are expected to rejoin the club for MLS competition as the season resumes.