Lionel Messi logs 47% walking distance as Argentina reaches World Cup semifinals

At the 2026 FIFA World Cup, 39‑year‑old Lionel Messi remains a central figure for Argentina, scoring eight goals and providing two assists. BBC data show he took 33 shots and created 21 chances, totaling 54 goal‑involved actions – the best record for an Argentine field player since Diego Maradona in 1986.

Messi covered an average of 8.2 km in a 90‑minute match but 47% of that distance was at a walking pace, the highest walking proportion among field players. He made only 2.7 sprints per game, down from 5.3 four years earlier, indicating a reduced pace but continued offensive threat.