The shocking amount of time Lionel Messi has spent walking at the FIFA World Cup 2026

Lionel Messi has walked way more than expected throughout the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Tonight, the legend will represent his country when Argentina go head-to-head with England in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final inside the Atlanta Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

Lionel Messi has walked for 47% of the FIFA World Cup

At the peak of his powers, Lionel Messi ran non-stop, leaving defenders in the dust with his unrivalled dribbling skills.

However, at the age of 39, he can’t move as he once could. But rather than heavily decline, the Argentine has adapted, creating moments of magic every single time he gets the ball.

Throughout the competition this summer, according to the BBC, he has walked 47% of the distance he’s covered, which is more than any other outfield player. Despite this, he has been creating more, firing 33 shots at goal and generating 21 chances for his side.

WOW: ‘Lionel Messi is the best in the world’ … Fan favourite backs icon over Kylian Mbappe despite watching him have a ‘shocker’

Furthermore, Messi has averaged the shortest distance of every single Argentina outfield footballer to have played for 20-plus minutes. He has covered 8.2km, per 90 minutes.

In addition, he is putting together just 2.7 sprints per game, which is much lower than the 5.3 he produced at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which he famously won.

To emerge victorious this evening, England will have to do something that only Poland have achieved in the icon’s last 15 appearances — prevent him from scoring or assisting. However, that’s certainly easier said than done, as Messi has hit the back of the net 16 times, and set up an additional seven goals.

Featured Image Credit: Getty