In some ways, Argentina’s Lionel Messi ‘completed’ football when he and his South American teammates lifted the World Cup trophy for the first time on December 18.
For many in the sport he was already considered the greatest of all-time but his overall 2022 World Cup performance to help secure Argentina’s third title was immense even by his sky-high standards.
Here, The Sporting News keet track of all the data that mattered the most during Messi’s time at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Lionel Messi 2022 World Cup stats
After performing at an incredibly high level for club side PSG so far this season, Messi entered the 2022 World Cup in fine form, and he carried that into the tournament, in some style.
Updated after Argentina’s final victory vs. France.
| Stat | Total | Rank amongst 2022 World Cup players |
| Goals | 7 | 2nd |
| Expected goals (xG) | 6.58 | 1st |
| Assists | 3 | =1st |
| Expected assists (xA) | 1.95 | 2nd |
| Shots | 32 | 1st |
| Shots on target | 18 | 1st |
| Shot conversion rate | 21.9% | =57th |
| Chances created | 21 | 2nd |
| Dribbles completed | 15 | 3rd |
| Dribble success rate | 45.5% | =57th |
| Touches in opposition box | 45 | 2nd |
| Successful passes | 296 | 15th |
| Passes played into the box | 49 | 2nd |
| Total carries | 145 | 7th |
| Progressive carries | 79 | 8th |
| Duels won | 44 | 3rd |
= means joint in statistic.
Source: www.sportingnews.com
