5 World Cup records both Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi will never break

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are undoubtedly two of the greatest footballers to ever play the beautiful game. They have been pushing each other to the limits of their abilities since exploding onto the scene more than a decade ago, breaking and making records at will. However, there’s one trophy that has still eluded both of them so far – the World Cup.

Since its inception in 1930, the greatest sporting spectacle on the planet has managed to surpass international borders, drenching countries in their love of football and uniting citizens in the colours of their nation. The four-year gap often feels stretched, but there’s an inherent charm associated with that wait, which adds to the grand occasion that is the FIFA World Cup. It’s a tournament that celebrates the beautiful game, a stage where minnows and giants compete as equals.

The World Cup has also witnessed records being created and broken at will over the last 90 years, which is why it is surprising that the two biggest record-breakers in the history of football have failed to lift the trophy even once in their career. Messi and Ronaldo would give an arm and a leg to win the coveted trophy, but sadly, that dream has not materialized so far.

The Argentine and the Portuguese have been attaining landmark achievements at will throughout their career, however, there are a few records in the world’s biggest tournament which might be out of their grasp.

So, what are the 5 World Cup records that both Ronaldo and Messi will never break? Read on to find out.

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#5 Most assists provided

Pele

The record for the most assists in the World Cup belongs to Pele, who played in four World Cups and racked up 10 assists. The Brazilian managed just three assists in his first three World Cup appearances, though, in 1958, 1962 and 1966. However, Pele unleashed a masterclass in 1970, setting up seven goals as Brazil went on to win the tournament. Incidentally, that is the most number of assists provided in a single World Cup by a player to date.

The Brazilian also has three assists in the World Cup final, in 1958 and 1970 and that is also another record that has not been broken so far. Messi is known for his ability to set up goals, and the Argentinean does have a couple of records of his own in the World Cup. The Argentine is the only player to have at least one assist in four tournaments and also has the most consecutive tournament with at least one assist - four.

Altogether, Messi has five assists from 19 appearances in the world Cup, while Ronaldo has two assists from 17 appearances in the World Cup. But can either of them break Pele’s record? It is not impossible but looks unlikely.

#4 Most tournaments as captain

Rafael Marquez at the 2010 FIFA World Cup

The record for the most World Cup tournaments as captain is currently held by Mexico’s Rafael Marquez, who wore the armband for his country at the World Cup five times. The former Barcelona defender was selected as the skipper of the team for the first time in the 2002 FIFA World Cup, by the then Mexica coach Javier Aguirre, despite the fact that the player was just 23 years old.

That was the start of something special, as Marquez went on to lead the Mexican team in 2006, 2010 as well as the 2014 FIFA World Cup. During the 2018 FIFA World Cup, he became only the third footballer in the world to play in five World Cups and also the first-ever to play in five as the captain of the team.

Messi has been wearing the armband for the Albeceleste permanently from 2011 when Alejandro Sabella took over as the coach of Argentina and has been to two FIFA World Cups as the Captain. He has represented Argentina in four World Cups so far, the same as Ronaldo for his nation.

The Portuguese, however, has worn the armband in 3 World Cup tournaments since he was handed the responsibility by Carlos Queiroz, who was in charge of the Portugal football team, in 2008.

Ronaldo will be 37 during the 2022 Qatar World Cup and would need to play into his 40s to touch this record. Messi will also have to achieve something similar to draw level with Marquez. As such, it is safe to say that neither player will be breaking this record in their lifetime.

#3 Youngest goalscorer

World Cup 1958

Pele played in the World Cup for the first time in 1958, appearing in the final group stage game against the Soviet Union. He could not score, but Brazil went on to win 2-0 anyway. Brazil faced Wales in the quarter-finals when Pele scored his first World Cup goal - he was just 17 years and 239 days old. Brazil won the game 1-0 and the youngster became the youngest ever goalscorer in a World Cup.

En route to the final, Pele became the youngest player to score a hat-trick in the World Cup against France in the semi-finals. And the Brazilian also became the youngest goalscorer to score in a World Cup final when he lobbed the goalkeeper to give his team the lead in the final against Sweden. All three records stand to date and it is impossible for either of Messi or Ronaldo to break them.

The Argentine scored in his first appearance in the world cup for Argentina, against Serbia and Montenegro in the 2006 World Cup, as a 19-year-old. In the process, he became Argentina’s youngest goalscorer in the world cup, the youngest goalscorer in the 2006 World Cup and the sixth youngest goalscorer in World Cup history.

Ronaldo, on the other hand, played his first world cup game as a 21-year-old in the 2006 World Cup and scored a penalty against Iran in the second group stage game of the tournament, his first-ever goal in the World Cup.

#2 Most finishes in top 2

Ronaldo Nazario

The record for the most finishes in the top two in the World Cup is shared between six players. Brazil’s Nilton Santos, Pele, Cafu and Ronaldo along with Pierre Littbarski and Lothar Matthaus of West Germany have finished in the top two thrice in their career.

Among them, only Pele has been on the winning side on all occasions, while Santos, Cafu, and Ronaldo have finished second once. Littbarski and Matthaus won the World Cup with West Germany in 1990, while they finished second in both the 1982 and 1986 edition.

Messi powered Argentina to the 2014 FIFA World Cup final but came up short against Germany. On the other hand, Ronaldo’s best finish in the FIFA World Cup has been in his inaugural tournament in 2006, when Portugal finished fourth.

Since then, the Juventus forward has departed the tournament twice in the Round of 16 and once in the group stages. Messi has managed to reach the quarter-final twice, in 2006 and 2010, while in 2018, Argentina were knocked out at the Round of 16 stages by eventual champions France.

While it is not unlikely for them to lead their respective teams to a top 2 finish in 2022, it is definitely impossible for them to break the current record.

#1 Most World Cup wins by a player

Pele

Since the start of the FIFA World Cup in 1930, 445 players have been a part of the winning team, arguably the greatest honour in the football world. Only 21 players have managed to win the World Cup more than once and only one of them has lifted the coveted trophy on more than two occasions – Pele.

The Brazilian won his first World Cup in 1958 as a 17-year-old and announced himself to the world. By the time Brazil competed in the 1962 World Cup, Pele was already a household name and was expected to take the tournament by storm. Unfortunately, the Brazilian picked up an injury in the second game of the group stages and was ruled out of the rest of the tournament. Brazil went on to defend their title and Pele won his second World Cup.

After a disappointing 1966 World Cup, Pele stepped up in the 1970 edition and lit up the tournament, lifting his third World Cup and in the process, becoming the only player to have won it thrice. It is a record that stands to date and it is safe to assume that neither Messi nor Ronaldo, who are both yet to win a world cup, might be able to break that one.