Messi shatters 68-year record, becomes World Cup’s assists king

Lionel Messi set up two goals in Argentina’s 2-1 win over England on Wednesday, taking his World Cup assist tally to 12 and moving him clear as the tournament's all-time leader in that category.

Messi, already the World Cup's top scorer with 21 goals, provided the passes for goals by Enzo Fernández and Lautaro Martínez in the semifinal.

He had entered the match tied on 10 with Germany's Fritz Walter, who played in the 1954 and 1958 World Cups. Walter had held the record for 68 years.

Brazil great Pele is third on the list with nine assists across three tournaments - two in 1958, one in 1962 and six during Brazil's 1970 title win.

Jairzinho scored three goals from Pele's assists, while Vava, Didi, Zagallo, Tostao, Rivellino and Carlos Alberto Torres also converted passes from him.

Most assists in World Cup history:

1. Messi (Argentina) 12

2. Fritz Walter (Germany) 10

3. Pele (Brazil) 9

4. Maradona (Argentina), Seeler (Germany), Kopa (France) 8

Messi's 12 World Cup assists:

1. Crespo, Argentina 6-0 Serbia and Montenegro, June 16, 2006

2. Tevez, Argentina 3-1 Mexico, June 27, 2010

3. Di Maria, Argentina 1-0 Switzerland, July 1, 2014

4. Higuain, France 4-3 Argentina, June 30, 2018

5. Aguero, France 4-3 Argentina, June 30, 2018

6. Enzo Fernandez, Argentina 2-0 Mexico, Nov 26, 2022

7. Molina, Netherlands 2-2 Argentina, Dec 9, 2022

8. Julian Alvarez, Argentina 3-0 Croatia, Dec 13, 2022

9. Cuti Romero, Argentina 3-2 Egypt, July 7, 2026

10. Mac Allister, Argentina 3-1 Switzerland, July 11, 2026

11. Enzo Fernandez, Argentina 2-1 England, July 15, 2026

12. Lautaro Martinez, Argentina 2-1 England, July 15, 2026