Messi’s World Cup evolution: walking 47% of distance, creating 54 chances
8 reported
According to a BBC Sport analysis published on July 14, 2026, Lionel Messi has walked 47% of the distance he has covered at this World Cup, the highest percentage of any outfield player. The 39-year-old Argentina captain has scored eight goals and provided three assists at his sixth World Cup, a joint record with Cristiano Ronaldo and Guillermo Ochoa. He leads the Golden Boot race alongside France striker Kylian Mbappe. Messi has averaged just 8.2km per 90 minutes, the shortest distance of any Argentina outfield player with 20-plus minutes, and is averaging 2.7 sprints per match compared to 5.3 four years ago. He has had 33 shots and created 21 chances, the most combined (54) since Diego Maradona in 1986. The article traces his tactical evolution from a teenage winger at Barcelona to a false nine under Pep Guardiola, then to a deeper playmaker after Xavi and Iniesta left, and finally to his current role as a veteran who conserves energy. Argentina will face England in the semi-finals on Wednesday at Atlanta Stadium.
What’s reported
Messi has walked 47% of the distance he has covered at this World Cup, the highest percentage of any outfield player.
He has scored eight goals and provided three assists at his sixth World Cup, a joint record with Cristiano Ronaldo and Guillermo Ochoa.
He leads the Golden Boot race with France striker Kylian Mbappe.
Messi has averaged 8.2km per 90 minutes, the shortest of any Argentina outfield player with 20-plus minutes.
He is averaging 2.7 sprints per match, down from 5.3 four years ago.
He has had 33 shots and created 21 chances, the most combined (54) since Diego Maradona in 1986.
Only Poland have stopped Messi from scoring or assisting in his past 15 World Cup appearances.
Argentina will play England in the semi-finals on Wednesday at Atlanta Stadium.
Key figures
Lionel Messi, Argentina captain and Inter Miami player
Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal player
Guillermo Ochoa, Mexico player
Kylian Mbappe, France striker
Diego Maradona, former Argentina player
Pep Guardiola, former Barcelona manager
Frank Rijkaard, former Barcelona manager
Pablo Aimar, former Argentina player
Zinedine Zidane, former France player
Sources: BBC News
