Messi shines but can't break Okocha's record

Argentina's captain Lionel Messi put on a great show to help his team come back and win 2-1 against England in the World Cup semi-final on Wednesday. But his efforts were not enough to surpass a long-held record by Nigeria's former Super Eagles captain, Austin ‘Jay-Jay’ Okocha, according to PUNCH Sports Extra.

Messi led Argentina's fightback at Atlanta Stadium after England took the lead with a goal from Anthony Gordon in the 50th minute. The 39-year-old set up Enzo Fernandez for the equaliser just five minutes before the end. He then assisted Lautaro Martinez to score the winning goal deep into stoppage time. This victory sends Argentina to their second straight World Cup final.

Stats from Opta and Sofascore show that Messi completed nine successful dribbles against England. This is the most by any player in the 2026 tournament. He also had 94 touches, created four clear chances, and had seven touches inside England’s penalty box, which is the same number as the entire England team.

Opta noted that Messi is the first player since records began in 1966 to have at least nine successful dribbles and two assists in a single World Cup knockout match.

Even with this achievement, Messi's dribble count is far below Okocha's record of 15 successful dribbles. Okocha set this record during Nigeria's round of 16 match against Italy at the 1994 World Cup in the United States. Then just 21 years old, Okocha completed 15 of his 16 dribble attempts over 120 minutes at Foxboro Stadium on July 5, 1994. Nigeria lost 2-1 after extra time to a tough Italian team featuring Paolo Maldini, Alessandro Costacurta, and Demetrio Albertini.

Okocha’s record still stands as the highest in World Cup history. He is ahead of Brazil’s Jairzinho and England’s Paul Gascoigne, both of whom completed 13 dribbles. Diego Maradona, Jamal Musiala, and Johan Cruyff each managed 12.

Earlier this month, Spain’s Lamine Yamal tied another record set by Okocha during the 1998 World Cup in France. Yamal averaged 12 dribbles per 90 minutes over matches lasting more than 200 minutes, a feat last accomplished by Okocha during Nigeria’s journey to the round of 16 in France.

Messi's performance against England means he has now scored or assisted in 11 straight World Cup matches. He is currently leading the Golden Boot race with eight goals and four assists as Argentina prepares to face Spain in the final on Sunday. They will aim to defend the title they won four years ago.