Argentina defeated France in the World Cup final to clinch the most sought after trophy in world football, breaking a 36-year jinx, Morocco did the same for the entire African continent, breaking an 88-year jinx by reaching a World Cup semi-final while many players have gone on to set numerous individual records for themselves, writing their names in the sands of time.
In this piece, The PUNCH examines all players that set new individual records in the just-concluded 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Lionel Messi
The Argentina star did not only break a record with the Argentina national team, the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner broke the most individual records of the tournament. Asides winning the 35-year-old set records for appearances, goals, assists and many more. They are;
- Most Man of the Match awards won in FIFA World Cup history – 8
- First person to assist at five different FIFA World Cups
- Most FIFA World Cup appearances as captain: 19
- Most appearances in FIFA World Cup tournaments by a player
- Only player to win two Golden Balls [Best player of the tournament] – 2014, 2022
- The most number of minutes played in the World Cup with 234 minutes, surpassing Paolo Maldini.
- Oldest player to register a goal and an assist in a World Cup game [vs. Saudi Arabia] at 35
- Oldest player to register a goal and an assist in a World Cup knockout game [quarterfinal vs. Netherlands, semifinal vs. Croatia] at 35
- Most goal contributions in a World Cup – 21 total (13 goals and 8 assists)
- Most appearances in FIFA World Cups – 26
- Most goals at World Cup for an Argentina player – 13
- The first player to score in Group Stage, the Round of 16, Quarter-finals, Semi-finals, and Final in a single edition of a World Cup.
Kylian Mbappe
Mbappe was unarguably the star of the final for the French team, scoring a hat-trick and dragging Argentina into a penalty shootout. The young champ gave a very good fight. Even though France did not win the trophy, Mbappe has many wins in the bag for himself.
- Most goals by a player aged 23 or younger in a single World Cup all-time – 8
- Most World Cup knockout stage goals aged 23 or younger in a World Cup- 7
- Most goals scored at a World Cup final than any other player – 4
- The second player to score a hat-trick in the men’s World Cup final
Cristiano Ronaldo
Despite not wining the World Cup, Cristiano Ronaldo remains a legend. His contributions and efforts in football cannot be underrated or underestimated. Portugal was sent out of the World Cup tournament after Morocco beat them in the quarter-finals round. However, the Portuguese star set a new record for himself as;
- The first footballer to score at five World Cups
Manuel Neuer
Germany’s goalkeeper, Manuel Neuer, also broke a record during this year’s World Cup. Germany exited the tournament at the group stage but Neuer did well to set a new record before leaving.
- Most appearances for a goalkeeper in World Cup history – 19
Olivier Giroud
Giroud had a good run at the World Cup and did quite well for himself. He showed up for France time and time again when needed and delivered up until the final. For France national team Giroud set a new record.
- Most goals for France -52
Leandro Paredes
An individual cannot make a team but the team can make individual players stand out. Paredes contributions to Argentina’s win paid off as the 28-year-old defensive midfielder set a. new record for himself.
- Most passes completed by a substitute in a World Cup match -77
Jamal Musiala
19-year-old Jamal Musiala did well for himself to set a new record, although he had a brief run at the World Cup. The German footballer was one of the fe teenagers that set foot on the world stage and he made sure he made a mark during his short run.
- Most dribbles in a World Cup match by a teenager -12, vs. Costa Rica
