Should Argentina take Messi off penalties?
Lionel Messi continues to break records at the 2026 World Cup, but his recent struggles with penalty kicks have sparked debate about whether he should remain Argentina's designated penalty taker. Despite his overall brilliance, his conversion rate from the spot has become a point of concern.
Why it matters
As a high-profile athlete, Messi's performance metrics are subject to intense scrutiny, influencing team strategy and public perception of his legacy.
Image source, Getty Images By Mohamed Moallim BBC Sport journalist Published 39 minutes ago With every game that passes at the 2026 World Cup, Lionel Messi strengthens the case that he is the greatest footballer the game has ever seen.
The Argentina captain once again dragged the defending champions deep into the knockout rounds.
Against Egypt in the last 16, he produced another match-defining performance, scoring once and creating another as Argentina recovered from 2-0 down with little more than 10 minutes remaining to complete one of the most incredible comebacks in World Cup history.
Along the way he broke even more records. He became the oldest player ever to score and assist in a World Cup match, extending a record he already held.
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