India, July 18 -- As the curtain prepares to rise on the absolute pinnacle of global football, defending champions Argentina are set to battle a rampant Spain in the highly anticipated final of the FIFA World Cup 2026 at the New York New Jersey Stadium. While the collective focus rests entirely on hoisting the golden trophy, the individual narrative belongs to one man. At 39 years old, Lionel Messi has masterfully guided La Albiceleste to another summit showdown.

Having registered a sensational eight goals and four assists across the tournament, the maestro is not just hunting a successive crown-he is on the absolute edge of rewriting the sport's history books. Here are the historic all-time records Lionel Messi can break or extend durin...