Messi becomes first player ever with 10 World Cup assists

Lionel Messi keeps rewriting World Cup history. In the 2026 quarterfinal against Switzerland, the 39-year-old Argentina captain delivered an assist that marked his tenth in World Cup tournaments — a feat no player has achieved before. The breakthrough came in the 10th minute when Messi set up Alexis Mac Allister, who slotted home to open the scoring. It was the midfielder’s second career World Cup goal and his first in the 2026 edition. According to Opta, each of Messi’s ten assists at World Cups has been to a different teammate — a unique stat that highlights his ability to connect with anyone on the pitch. Beyond the new record, the Switzerland clash was Messi’s 32nd World Cup appearance. He has already scored eight goals and added two assists in the 2026 tournament, keeping him among the top contenders for the Golden Ball.