The FIFA World Cup 2026 continues to witness history, with some of the biggest footballers rewriting the record books through a series of landmark achievements across the tournament. Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Harry Kane and Luka Modrić reached remarkable milestones, underlining their huge impact on the global stage.
Lionel Messi added to his legacy in his World Cup career by becoming the first player in history to score in seven consecutive FIFA World Cup matches. The Argentine captain also extended his all-time World Cup scoring record, taking his tally to 18 goals and further cementing his place among the tournament’s greatest players.
Cristiano Ronaldo moved into second place on the all-time list for FIFA World Cup appearances with 25 matches. The Portuguese icon continues to demonstrate remarkable longevity, featuring in his sixth World Cup nearly two decades after making his tournament debut.
England captain Harry Kane became his country’s leading men’s World Cup goalscorer after his 11th World Cup goal, surpassing Gary Lineker’s long-standing record of 10. The striker continues to lead England’s attack as they pursue World Cup glory.
Croatia captain Luka Modrić also added another milestone to his illustrious World Cup career. At 40 years and 291 days, he became the oldest player to provide an assist at a FIFA World Cup since 1966. The veteran midfielder, along with Ivan Perišić, became the first Croatians to start 20 FIFA World Cup matches, underlining his remarkable.
As the tournament heads into its knockout stages, football’s biggest stars continue to produce moments of history, proving that experience and longevity remain as valuable as ever on the world’s biggest stage.
