Lionel Messi (Photo, AP)At 38, Lionel Messi continues to add new chapters to an already-unmatched football legacy. Just two rounds into the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the Argentina captain has once again shown why he remains one of the most influential players in the game’s history.Four years after leading Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar, Messi appears determined to mount another title challenge, and he looks to be doing so in remarkable form.Messi has often spoken about the immense mental and emotional burden he carried while representing Argentina before finally lifting the World Cup in 2022. The Argentine superstar admitted that both he and his family endured difficult periods because of the intense criticism directed at him by the country's football supporters.However, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner responded in the only way he knows how: by delivering on the pitch.His performances in the 2026 World Cup have sparked comparisons with the peak years of his career.In a tournament packed with emerging stars such as Lamine Yamal, Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland, Messi continues to prove why many regard him as the greatest footballer of all time.The Argentine has already rewritten several World Cup records during his illustrious career.Messi holds the records for the most FIFA World Cup appearances (28), most World Cup victories by a player (18), most minutes played in the tournament (2,489), and most goals in FIFA World Cup finals matches (18).These milestones are a testament to Messi's extraordinary longevity and consistency on football's biggest stage.Having featured in six World Cups and played a pivotal role in Argentina's success across multiple generations, he has transformed from a young prodigy into the tournament's most enduring superstar.Yet, despite already owning some of the competition's most prestigious records, the Argentine legend still has several milestones within reach.Messi currently shares the record for most World Cup assists with Diego Maradona, with eight each. He is also second on the all-time list for World Cup penalty goals, sitting just one behind Harry Kane.Another major accolade that has so far eluded the Argentine legend is the World Cup Golden Boot.However, with five goals already to his name in this edition, Messi has firmly placed himself in contention for the tournament's top-scorer award, bringing yet another milestone within reach.Many believed Messi's World Cup journey had reached its perfect conclusion in 2022. Instead, the Argentine skipper has returned for one more campaign, producing flashes of brilliance that remind fans of his younger years and proving that age remains little more than a number.