World Cup: Lionel Messi makes history, surpasses Diego Maradona to become all-time assists leader as Argentina edge Egypt in R16

Argentina’s Lionel Messi celebrates scoring his second goal during the World Cup Round of 16 match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta. (AP photo) He already had a goal record. He already had the appearance record. Lionel Messi also set the assist record Tuesday night in Atlanta.Following Argentina’s remarkable comeback win against Egypt in the Round of 16, Messi recorded his ninth career World Cup assist, making him the most assists in World Cup history, surpassing Argentine legend Diego Maradona, who previously held the record with eight.The record assist came in the most dramatic of circumstances. Argentina were 2-0 down to Egypt when Messi found Cristiano Romero in the box and the centre-back headed home to pull one back and start one of the great World Cup comebacks. Messi then hit a stunning volley from inside the box himself in the 83rd minute, before Enzo Fernández completed the conversion in added time. Argentina won 3-2 and Messi touched the game in every way imaginable – a record assist, a key goal, a match-winning influence.Messi’s ninth assist gives him the most in World Cup history, with the record previously shared by himself and Maradona at eight.Croatia’s Ivan Perisic was coming off six assists, but Croatia were knocked out by Portugal in the Round of 16, so the record now looks all but safe.The numbers keep coming and they keep defying belief. Messi now has 12 career assists in the knockout stages of the FIFA World Cup, six goals and six assists, overtaking both Pelé and Kylian Mbappé for the most in 60 years. He also became the first player in FIFA World Cup history to score in eight consecutive appearances.Messi has reached 30 World Cup appearances across six tournaments, the most ever by any player, male or female, in a single World Cup.At the age of 39. In his sixth and final World Cup. In a tournament with a bigger field and a longer road map than any previous edition.Maradona set a record for assists. Klose set a goalscoring record. Marta held the overall scoring record. One by one, Messi took them all. The record books at this World Cup belong entirely to one man, and he reminded the world exactly why on Tuesday night in Atlanta.