LIONEL Messi is on the brink of more World Cup records in Qatar after leading Argentina to the semi-finals.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner captains Argentina tonight against Croatia with a World Cup final spot and personal history-making on offer.
Messi, 35, is also a custodian of several World Cup records, including being the only player in history to register assists at five different tournaments. His closest challengers are Pele, Grzegorz Lato, Diego Maradona and David Beckham, who set up goals in three editions apiece.
He is one of only six men to have played in five World Cups alongside Antonio Carbajal, Lothar Matthaus, Rafa Marquez, Andres Guardado and Cristiano Ronaldo.
One of the records Messi is close to equalling and surpassing is that of appearances in the global showpiece.
The Paris Saint-Germain forward has made 24 World Cup appearances – one short of the record held by Lothar Matthaus.
Messi will take the outright lead if he appears in the semi-finals and either the third-place play-off or the final.
Messi and Rafa Marquez have made a joint-best 18 appearances as captain in the World Cup. They are followed by Diego Maradona (16).
Paolo Maldini holds the record for the most minutes played in the World Cup: 2,217. Messi is on 2,104 and could break the record if Argentina’s semi-final against Croatia tonight goes to extra-time.
Brazilian legend Pele holds the record for the most assists in the knockout phase (6). Messi has five to his name and will match the great man if he provides one tonight.
Also, Gabriel Batistuta and Messi are Argentina’s joint-leading scorers in the World Cup on 10 goals apiece. The current captain needs one more goal to become the outright leading World Cup marksman for his country.
‘Batigol’ and Messi are followed by Diego Maradona (8), Guillermo Stabile (8), Mario Kempes (6) and Gonzalo Higuain (5).
In addition, Messi is the only player to score in the World Cup in his teens, 20s and 30s. Pele missed out on accomplishing the same by four months in 1970.
Messi scored his first and latest World Cup goals 16 years and 176 days apart. The next biggest span in World Cup history belongs to Cristiano Ronaldo at 16 years and 160 days.
Also, the Player of the Match, first awarded in 2002, has been given to Messi an unequalled nine times. His four at Brazil 2014 is a record for one edition he shares with Wesley Sneijder, who received the same at South Africa 2010.
Miroslav Klose has played in 17 World Cup victories. Messi is currently on 15.
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