Messi scored 7 goals for Argentina in the 2022 World Cup. He scored in Argentina’s group-stage matches against Saudi Arabia and Mexico, then added goals against Australia, the Netherlands, Croatia, and France in the final.
His two goals against France included a penalty in normal time and a second goal in extra time. Argentina won the final 4–2 on penalties after a 3–3 draw, securing the country’s first World Cup title since 1986.
Messi’s seven goals ranked second in the tournament behind Kylian Mbappé’s eight. Messi also became the first player to score in the group stage, round of 16, quarter-final, semi-final, and final of the same World Cup. His performance earned him the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player, his second after winning it in 2014.