World Cup 2022: Messi Breaks 56-Year Record After Goal vs France

• Lionel Messi has enjoyed a successful World Cup outing with Argentina in Qatar, with the star forward's fine run of form allowing him to break record
• And the Sunday, December 18, final was no different for the Argentine as his opening goal against France saw him shatter a long-standing World Cup record
• The goal, which he scored from the penalty spot, was his sixth at the tournament, having already scored twice at the group stages

Lionel Messi has broken a 56-year-old World Cup record following his strike against France in the final in Qatar.

The Paris Saint-Germain forward has been in sensational form at the ongoing 2022 World Cup, with his contribution helping Argentina reach the final.

And the 35-year-old continued with his terrific run on Sunday, December 18, as he opened the scoring for his side against France in the first half.

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Messi stepped up to beat Hugo Lloris from the penalty spot to hand his side a deserved lead in the 23rd minute.

Messi breaks World Cup record

The goal was enough to earn Messi a place in history books, with ESPN reporting that the Argentine is now the first player to make 20 goal contributions at the World Cup since 1966.

According to the outlet, the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner has effectively passed Germany legend Klose, Ronaldo and Gerd Muller for 20 total goal contributions at the tournament.

Messi opened his goal account in Qatar against Saudi Arabia and Mexico in the group stages before helping Argentina dump out Australia in the round of 16.

Messi confirms final World Cup game

Sports Brief earlier reported that Messi confirmed Sunday's final will be his last World Cup match regardless of the outcome.

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The Argentina captain will play his second World Cup final on Sunday having also played the final in 2014 which he lost to Germany.

He will also become the World Cup all time appearance holder with 26 games, surpassing Lothar Matthaus.

Mbappe’s place in GOAT debate revealed

Elsewhere, Sports Brief also reported that former Paris Saint-Germain defender Abdou Diallo has disclosed Kylian Mbappe's obsession with Cristiano Ronaldo.

Diallo, who spent three seasons with PSG before moving to Leipzig on loan, hinted the Frenchman has an entrenched position in the never-ending Messi vs Ronaldo GOAT debate.

The defender who reached the round of 16 stage at the 2022 World Cup with Senegal claimed Mbappe could argue at length, explaining why Ronaldo is better than Messi.