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Messi leads World Cup scoring with 'walking football' strategy

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Context piece
  • Lionel Messi leads the 2026 World Cup with 8 goals and 4 assists, despite often walking or standing during matches.
  • Analysis shows Messi spends over 60% of game time walking and nearly 25% standing, with fewer sprints than in previous tournaments.
  • Despite his reduced physical output, Messi creates numerous scoring opportunities, demonstrating efficient energy management and timely bursts of brilliance.

Lionel Messi is currently leading the 2026 World Cup scoring charts with 8 goals and 4 assists, showcasing a unique style of play that involves significant periods of walking and standing. This approach, dubbed 'walking football,' has become even more pronounced in this tournament, drawing attention from sports analysts.

Data from The Athletic indicates that Messi spends approximately 62.7% of his game time walking (defined as speeds between 2.5-7.2 km/h) and 24.7% standing still. His sprinting frequency has also decreased, averaging 2.7 sprints per game compared to 5.3 in the 2022 Qatar World Cup. Despite this reduced physical exertion, Messi has generated 54 scoring chances, including 33 shots, marking the highest tally since Diego Maradona in 1986.

This strategy allows the 39-year-old veteran to conserve energy, unleashing explosive bursts of skill at critical moments. BBC analysis corroborates this, showing Messi covered 47% of his distance by walking during matches. This efficiency has positioned him as a strong contender for both the Golden Boot and the Golden Ball awards. If Argentina wins the final, Messi could become the first player since Paolo Rossi in 1982 to win the World Cup, Golden Boot, and Golden Ball in the same tournament.

For the casual observer who doesn’t know soccer, Messi’s leisurely strolls might look like the detached posture of a player lingering on the edge of the field. But that’s exactly what Messi wants you to think. Behind the long stretches of inactivity is a still-quick mind ready to seize an opportunity at any moment.

— The AthleticAnalysis of Lionel Messi's playing style in the 2026 World Cup.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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