Leo, you are a magician - but, please, let someone else take penalties
Reading Time: 2min | Wed. 08.07.26. | 10:43
Yesterday, against Egypt, Messi missed his fourth World Cup spot-kick, reducing his conversion rate to just 50%
Last night, Argentina produced the latest comeback from a two-goal deficit without extra time in World Cup history, going from 0-2 to 3-2 against Egypt in only 13 minutes.
Lionel Messi once again impressed, inspiring La Albiceleste to the miraculous triumph with a goal and an assist, setting several new records.
The 39-year-old has become the first player in World Cup history to score in six consecutive knockout-phase games and the ninth man to score eight or more goals in a single World Cup campaign. On top of that, he extended his scoring run, finding the net in his ninth World Cup match in a row.
However, there was another milestone, and this one was far less flattering.
Messi's missed penalty in the 21st minute of the duel against the Pharaohs - denied by Mostafa Shobeir - was the fourth spot-kick the Argentine failed to convert in World Cups. Already the holder of this unwanted record with three wasted penalties, he has now only reinforced his unenviable reputation.
At the same time, he has become the first-ever player to miss two penalties in a single World Cup tournament - excluding penalty shoot-outs - while his conversion rate dropped to only 50% (4/8).
Lionel Messi has now missed HALF of the penalties he's taken at the World Cup. 🤯
— Squawka (@Squawka) July 7, 2026
❌ vs. Iceland (2018)
⚽ vs. Saudi Arabia (2022)
❌ vs. Poland (2022)
⚽ vs. Netherlands (2022)
⚽ vs. Croatia (2022)
⚽ vs. France (2022)
❌ vs. Austria (2026)
❌ vs. Egypt (2026)
He's the FIRST… pic.twitter.com/IetOEHs6lX
With eight goals in the ongoing campaign, he's been the engine that drives it forward. His role appears even more vital than it was four years ago when he guided Argentina to the World Cup trophy.
However, much as his fans and compatriots may hate to admit it, perhaps it's time for Messi to hand penalty duties over to someone else.
There are several players in Lionel Scaloni's squad who regularly take penalties for their clubs, like Enzo Fernandez, Julian Alvarez, and Lautaro Martinez.
Maybe Leo should let one of them take over from the spot.
WORLD CUP - KNOCKOUT STAGE
Round of 16
Saturday
Canada - Morocco 0-3 (0-0)
/Ounahi 50, 82, Rahimi 90+8/
Sunday
France - Paraguay 1-0 (0-0)
/Mbappe 70 pen/
Brazil - Norway 1-2 (0-0)
/Neymar 90+10 pen - Haaland 79, 90/
Monday
Mexico - England 2-3 (1-2)
/Quinones 42, Jimenez 69 pen - Bellingham 36,38, Kane 60 pen/
Portugal - Spain 0-1 (0-0)
/Merino 90+1/
Tuesday
USA - Belgium 1-4 (1-2)
/Tillman 31 - De Ketelaere 9, 33, Vanaken 57, Lukaku 90+3/
Argentina - Egypt 3-2 (0-1)
/Romero 79, Messi 83, Fernandez 90+2 - Ibrahim 15, Ziko 67/
Switzerland - Colombia 4-3 on penalties (0-0)