Lionel Messi is preparing for an absolutely historic achievement as he enters his sixth and final World Cup, with Argentina beginning their title defense against Algeria in Group J. There is immense anticipation surrounding the Argentine captain, who not only has the chance to reaffirm the glory of the national team but also to claim the most coveted individual awards of the tournament, just a few months after celebrating his 39th birthday.
The legendary forward, who finally secured the most desired trophy in 2022 in Qatar, leading Argentina to victory against France in a breathtaking final, is once again being touted as the main contender for both the Golden Boot and the Golden Ball of the 2026 World Cup. Betting houses already place Messi among the favorites, despite fierce competition: Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappé, and Erling Haaland are names that appear ahead of the Argentine in some lists, but the experience and status of a “living legend” continue to weigh in the predictions of experts.
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Messi has never finished a World Cup as the top scorer — he came in second place in 2022, behind Mbappé, with seven goals. For 2026, the odds for Messi to win the Golden Boot are 18/1 at Bet365, an appealing figure for those who believe that the Argentine genius can surpass everyone and finally finish as the top scorer. Regarding the Ballon d’Or, awarded for the best player of the tournament, Messi has already made history by being honored in 2014 and 2022. Now, he has odds of 14/1 at Ladbrokes to win for the third time, something unprecedented.
The context could not be more favorable for the Argentine star. Argentina has been drawn into an accessible group, alongside Austria, Algeria, and Jordan, which may facilitate Messi’s accumulation of goals and assists right from the initial phase. Furthermore, the schedule for the main direct rivals is significantly more demanding: Kane and England start against Croatia and Ghana, while Mbappé and Haaland will face each other in the group stage, with France, Norway, and Senegal making up a “group of death.” If Argentina confirms its favoritism and reaches the decisive stages, Messi will also have the opportunity to face Cristiano Ronaldo in the quarter-finals, should Portugal also lead its group, in a duel that promises to be historic and further fuel the rivalry between the two greatest scorers in international history.
Statistics reinforce the magnitude of Messi’s legacy. He is, by far, the all-time top scorer for Argentina, with 116 goals in 198 international appearances, ranking second in the world standings, just behind Cristiano Ronaldo. When it comes to assists, no one comes close: he has provided 61 goal assists while representing the national team. In total across World Cups, Messi has 13 goals and eight assists in 26 matches, placing him just behind Pelé in direct goal involvements (21 to the Brazilian’s 22). In 2022, Messi scored in every knockout match, including two goals in the final against France, and also converted a decisive penalty in the shootout, capping off an absolutely memorable campaign.
When it comes to combined bets (bet builder), Messi is a must-have for those looking for predictions on Argentina’s matches, having been an example of consistency and excellence in Qatar, with an average of 2.2 shots on target in the last 10 World Cup games. Betting houses and analysts are paying attention to Messi’s impact on goals and assists, and active markets are expected around the Argentine’s actions throughout the tournament.
As he enters what will likely be his last major international competition, Messi faces a dual challenge: to lead Argentina to yet another final and, at the same time, to cement his name as the greatest player in World Cup history. If the South American team confirms its favoritism and goes far, Messi will be a key player, not only in the collective struggle but also for individual awards. A potential reunion with Cristiano Ronaldo in the quarter-finals or a clash with England in the semi-finals would be true “classics” for posterity. The world will be watching Messi closely — and, based on what we’ve seen in recent years, it is never wise to doubt the Argentine genius.
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