Lionel Messi vs Diego Maradona: Who has better stats in World Cup?

Both players are regarded as the greatest ever to play the game

Although Maradona's career was not as prolific as Messi's, winning the World Cup elevated him to the status of the greatest Argentine player, overshadowing his statistics. Maradona remained Argentina's second top-scorer in World Cup until Lionel Messi eclipsed it.

Argentina last claimed this golden trophy in 1986, and it has remained elusive for the South American powers ever since, which is the reason Maradona is characterized as Argentina's top player ever, ahead of Messi.

While Messi came within a whisker of lifting the coveted title in 2014, Argentina were narrowly defeated 1-0 by Germany. Argentina were eliminated by France in the 2018 World Cup, as Messi's career entered its twilight. A Copa America title in 2021, on the other hand, would take some of the pressure off Lionel Messi.

But the World Cup is the World Cup. As Argentina headed for the FIFA World Cup 2022 on the strength of a 36-game unbeaten streak, things rapidly went horribly wrong when Argentina lost their opening match 2-1 to Saudi Arabia; physiologically, it may have threatened the team, but the players rallied and played more as a team throughout every match.

Argentina defeated defending champions France in the FIFA World Cup 2022 final at Lusail Stadium. .

Records broken by Lionel Messi at World Cup 2022.

Messi broke many Argentine World Cup records at the 2022 World Cup, being the oldest player to score five goals in a FIFA World Cup. He is also the top-scoring Argentine in World Cups and is one appearance away from becoming the most-appeared player in World Cup history.

Messi scored his sixteenth goal for Argentina in 2022, the most for his country in any calendar year. His subsequent greatest years were in 2012 (12) and 2021. (9). His 22 goal contributions for Argentina this year are eight more than in any other calendar year, with six assists.

Since 1966, Messi is the first male player to score and assist in three different World Cup games. He is also the first player since 1966 to have a goal and an assist in consecutive knockout stage games (West Germany's Helmut Haller in QF & SF).

Messi has the most goal involvements in a World Cup (since 1966), alongside Miroslav Klose (16 goals, 3 assists), Ronaldo Nazario (15 goals, 4 assists), and Gerd Müller (14 goals, 5 assists).

Lionel Messi has scored or assisted in more World Cup matches since 1966 than any other player (13 - level with Ronaldo)

But how both Argentine legends fared in World Cups?

Maradona played in four World Cups, in 1982, 1986, 1990, and 1994.

Messi has competed in five World Cups, in 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, and 2022.

Lionel Messi vs Diego Maradona: Who has the better World Cup stats?

Diego Maradona

Matches: 21

Goals: 8

Goals per average: 0.38

Assists: 8

Trophies: 1

Lionel Messi

Matches: 26

Goals: 13

Goals per average: 0.50

Assists: 8

Trophies: 1