He already has a goal record. He already has an appearance record. On Tuesday night in Atlanta, Lionel Messi also took the assists record.After Argentina’s remarkable comeback victory over Egypt in the Round of 16, Messi recorded his ninth career World Cup assist, giving him the most assists in World Cup history, surpassing the Argentine legend. Diego Maradonawho previously held the record with eight.The record-breaking help came in the strangest of circumstances. Argentina trailed Egypt 2-0 when Messi found Cristian Romero in the box, and the centre-back headed home to pull one back and start one of the World Cup’s great comebacks. Messi then scored himself in the 83rd minute with a stunning volley from inside the box, before Enzo Fernández completed the comeback in stoppage time. Argentina won 3-2, and Messi touched the game in every way imaginable – record assist, key goal, game-winning influence.Messi’s ninth assist gives him the most in World Cup history, with the record previously shared between himself and Maradona at eight each.Croatia’s Ivan Perisic followed with six assists, but Croatia was eliminated by Portugal in the Round of 16, meaning the record now looks safe.The numbers keep coming and they keep defying belief. Messi now has 12 career goal contributions to: FIFA World Cup knockout stage, six goals and six assists, passed Pelé and Kylian Mbappé for the most in the last 60 years of records. He also became the first player in FIFA World Cup history to score in eight consecutive appearances.Messi has reached 30 World Cup appearances in six tournaments, the most in the history of 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 travel map than any edition before it.Maradona set the assist record. Klose set the goals record. Marta holds the overall score record. One by one, Messi took them all. The World Cup record books belong entirely to one man and on Tuesday night in Atlanta, he reminded the world why.