Lionel Messi has taken the lead in the 2026 FIFA World Cup dribbling standings following another standout showing as Argentina edged England 2-1 in a tense semi-final.
Key takeaways
- Messi moved to the top of the World Cup dribbling charts after Argentina’s semi-final win over England.
- The Argentina captain passed Lamine Yamal in the rankings, thanks to his impact in Atlanta.
- Messi completed nine successful dribbles versus England, bringing his tournament total to 24.
- Vinícius Júnior is third with 16 successful dribbles, with Jamal Musiala and Michael Olise tied fourth on 15.
- Argentina will meet Spain in the World Cup final, setting up a potential duel between Messi and Yamal.
Messi’s dribbling surge in the semi-final
In Atlanta, Messi delivered the kind of performance that consistently threatened England’s defensive structure. He was heavily involved in Argentina’s attacking moments, repeatedly breaking lines and creating pressure before playing a part in both goals.
His influence was central to Enzo Fernández leveling the match, and Lautaro Martínez then delivered a winner in stoppage time to complete a dramatic 2-1 outcome for Argentina.
Where the dribbling leaderboard stands
FIFA World Cup tracking shows the 39-year-old completed nine successful dribbles against England, taking him to 24 for the tournament. That total places him ahead of Lamine Yamal, who is on 22.
The latest outing reinforced Messi’s ability to control games even as he moves into the later stages of a career filled with major achievements. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner continues to find ways to dominate proceedings when it matters most.
Behind Messi, Brazil winger Vinícius Júnior sits in third with 16 successful dribbles. Germany’s Jamal Musiala and France’s Michael Olise are joint fourth, each recording 15.
Further down the list, Algeria’s Ibrahim Maza and France captain Kylian Mbappé are on 14 apiece. England midfielder Jude Bellingham and Paraguay’s Julio Enciso follow with 13 successful dribbles each.
Final against Spain sets up Messi vs Yamal
Messi now has the opportunity to extend his lead when Argentina take on Spain in Sunday’s World Cup final. The matchup promises a compelling contest, with Messi set to face second-placed Yamal in what could be one of the tournament’s defining individual battles.
For Argentina, the final is also a chance for back-to-back World Cup glory, giving the captain a path to add another title to an already extraordinary campaign at football’s biggest stage.
