Messi Has A Chance To Overtake Maradona's Two Records At The 2022 World Cup In Qatar

JAKARTA - Lionel Messi has the opportunity to overtake Diego Maradona's two records at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, which will take place from November 20 to December 18.

Two of Maradona's records that La Pulga is likely to take over are the most appearances and assists for the Argentine national team at the World Cup.

For now, Maradona still holds the record for most appearances in the World Cup with the Albicelestes. The player who scored the “Hand of God” goal made a total of 21 appearances.

Meanwhile, Messi has now collected 19 appearances. Therefore, the former Barcelona player only needed three more appearances in the group stage to surpass that record.

As for the record of assists, Maradona was recorded to have collected eight in his name. That number includes the five assists he made when guiding Argentina to a second title at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico.

To get past that record, Messi needs to make four more assists in Qatar later. It's no surprise that Messi can break the record as he was in good form with Paris Saint-Germain during the campaign earlier this season.

Despite the possibility of passing Maradona, Messi is considered a bit difficult to overtake the record for most World Cup goals held by Gabriel Batistuta with 10 goals. Currently, Messi has six goals, while Maradona has eight.

This record is perhaps the most difficult for Messi to claim. However, if Argentina can go far in this quadrennial event then there is still a possibility for La Pulga to surpass the record of legends in his country.

The Qatar 2022 World Cup will be Messi's last chance to lift the trophy that many have wanted. He previously had a chance to win this event in 2014 and then in Brazil, but lost to Germany in the final.

Now Messi's place in football history is guaranteed. However, some Argentines still feel he needs to win the World Cup to become an icon on the same level as Maradona.

In Qatar, Argentina will fill Group C with Saudi Arabia, Mexico, and Poland. Messi and his friends will open their group stage campaign against Saudi Arabia on November 22, followed by Mexico on November 26, and Poland on November 30.