Sports

Players That Broke Records At The 2022 World Cup

Published

3 years ago

December 19, 2022

The just-concluded 2022 FIFA World Cup brought all the excitement, emotions, tears, both of joy and sorrow, that fans all over the world signed up for. With heart-bumping, nail-biting and all-round spectacular performances from the 32 teams that sojourned to the desert country of Qatar in search of the trophy, many new records have been set, jinxes broken and history rewritten.

Argentina defeated France in the World Cup final to clinch the most sought after trophy in world football, breaking a 36-year jinx, Morocco did the same for the entire African continent, breaking an 88-year jinx by reaching a World Cup semi-final while many players have gone on to set numerous individual records for themselves, writing their names in the sands of time.

In this piece, The PUNCH examines all players that set new individual records in the just-concluded 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Lionel Messi

The Argentina star did not only break a record with the Argentina national team, the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner broke the most individual records of the tournament. Asides winning the 35-year-old set records for appearances, goals, assists and many more. They are;

Most Man of the Match awards won in FIFA World Cup history – 8
First person to assist at five different FIFA World Cups
Most FIFA World Cup appearances as captain: 19
Most appearances in FIFA World Cup tournaments by a player
Only player to win two Golden Balls [Best player of the tournament] – 2014, 2022
The most number of minutes played in the World Cup with 234 minutes, surpassing Paolo Maldini.
Oldest player to register a goal and an assist in a World Cup game [vs. Saudi Arabia] at 35
Oldest player to register a goal and an assist in a World Cup knockout game [quarterfinal vs. Netherlands, semifinal vs. Croatia] at 35
Most goal contributions in a World Cup – 21 total (13 goals and 8 assists)
Most appearances in FIFA World Cups – 26
Most goals at World Cup for an Argentina player – 13
The first player to score in Group Stage, the Round of 16, Quarter-finals, Semi-finals, and Final in a single edition of a World Cup.

Kylian Mbappe

Mbappe was unarguably the star of the final for the French team, scoring a hat-trick and dragging Argentina into a penalty shootout.

The young champ gave a very good fight. Even though France did not win the trophy, Mbappe has many wins in the bag for himself.

Most goals by a player aged 23 or younger in a single World Cup all-time – 8
Most World Cup knockout stage goals aged 23 or younger in a World Cup- 7
Most goals scored at a World Cup final than any other player – 4

The second player to score a hat-trick in the men’s World Cup final

Cristiano Ronaldo

Despite not wining the World Cup, Cristiano Ronaldo remains a legend. His contributions and efforts in football cannot be underrated or underestimated. Portugal was sent out of the World Cup tournament after Morocco beat them in the quarter-finals round. However, the Portuguese star set a new record for himself as;

The first footballer to score at five World Cups

Manuel Neuer

Germany’s goalkeeper, Manuel Neuer, also broke a record during this year’s World Cup. Germany exited the tournament at the group stage but Neuer did well to set a new record before leaving.

Most appearances for a goalkeeper in World Cup history – 19

Olivier Giroud

Giroud had a good run at the World Cup and did quite well for himself. He showed up for France time and time again when needed and delivered up until the final. For France national team Giroud set a new record.

Most goals for France -52

Leandro Paredes

An individual cannot make a team but the team can make individual players stand out. Paredes contributions to Argentina’s win paid off as the 28-year-old defensive midfielder set a. new record for himself.

Most passes completed by a substitute in a World Cup match -77

Jamal Musiala

19-year-old Jamal Musiala did well for himself to set a new record, although he had a brief run at the World Cup. The German footballer was one of the fe teenagers that set foot on the world stage and he made sure he made a mark during his short run.

Most dribbles in a World Cup match by a teenager -12, vs. Costa Rica

Sports

One Year Of Sports Excellence Under Governor Okpebholo’s Leadership

Published

2 days ago

November 13, 2025

Editor

By Edoko Wilson Edoko

The Edo State Sports Commission has celebrated one year of steady progress and transformation under the leadership of His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, the Executive Governor of Edo State. The past year has seen significant reforms, innovation, and achievements across all levels of sports in the state.

Led by Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele, the Commission has revived Edo’s sporting heritage and re-established the state as a dominant force in Nigerian sports — fulfilling Governor Okpebholo’s vision of a vibrant, talent-driven, and development-oriented sports ecosystem.

At the 2025 National Youth Games in Asaba, Team Edo achieved its best performance yet, finishing among the top teams with 33 gold, 18 silver, and 28 bronze medals. The state also finished third at the maiden Niger Delta Sports Festival in Uyo, winning 89 medals, and recorded a 302-medal haul at the 22nd National Sports Festival in Abeokuta.

Hon. Enabulele credited these achievements to Governor Okpebholo’s commitment to athlete welfare and grassroots sports development.

Edo athletes also shone internationally. Seven Edo Queens FC players were called up to the U-20 Super Falconets, while five female rugby players represented Nigeria at the World Rugby League Series in Canada. Para-athletes and deaf athletes brought home several medals from regional and continental championships, including 17-year-old Ojieabu Favour Omo, who won six medals at the African Para-Cycling Track Championship in Cairo.

Team Edo dominated several national competitions, including para-powerlifting, karate, badminton, swimming, and kung fu tournaments. The state also hosted the South-South Zonal Eliminations for the National Sports Festival, earning praise for its professionalism.

The Commission deepened the link between education and sports through the Governor’s Cup, rewarding winning schools with new buses, and introduced the Under-17 Chess Tournament to promote intellectual sports. Plans for an Edo Indoor Cricket Complex are also underway.

Edo Queens FC maintained their regional dominance as WAFU B Champions, while Coach Moses Opuamowei Aduku’s leadership of the Super Falconets further underscored Edo’s excellence.

Governor Okpebholo was honoured by the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) as Distinguished Governor of the Year for his contributions to sports development. Hon. Enabulele also received the SWAN Diamond Jubilee National Award for exemplary leadership.

The Commission has expanded Edo’s sports structure with the inauguration of the Armwrestling Association Board and continued medal-winning performances in taekwondo, powerlifting, and athletics.

“As our Governor marks one year in office, Edo’s sports continue to soar,” Hon. Enabulele said. “Our goal is to make Edo a model for sports governance and athlete development in Nigeria. With the Governor’s support, we are confident of achieving even greater success.”

Edoko Wilson Edoko is the Media Officer to the Executive Chairman of Edo State Sports Commission.

Sports

UCL: Why I Snubbed Move To Real Madrid – Saliba

Published

2 weeks ago

November 3, 2025

Editor

Arsenal defender, William Saliba, has revealed why he turned down a move to Real Madrid.

Saliba recently put pen to paper on a contract extension with the Gunners.

The Frenchman has now claimed he wants to win silverware with the Premier League side, before he can think of leaving the Emirates.

“Of course it’s really tempting when a club like that is interested in you.

“But I wanted to win titles at Arsenal first before thinking about anything else,” Saliba told Telefoot.

Saliba might get his wish this season, as Arsenal look well on course to end their two-decade wait for the league title.

Mikel Arteta’s men are six points clear at the top after 10 matches.

Sports

UCL Matchday 4: Liverpool Host Real Madrid, Bayern Face PSG, Other Fixtures

Published

2 weeks ago

November 3, 2025

Editor

The league phase of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League hits its halfway mark on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Matchday 4 arrives with drama scripted across Europe.

Eighteen games, countless storylines, and a stage where heroes, heartbreak, and history are never far apart.

From Anfield to Paris, Turin to Prague — the world’s greatest club competition enters its next act.

These preview details were obtained from the UCL website on Monday.

1. Liverpool vs Real Madrid

A rivalry defined by glory and grief — from Kyiv to Paris to Anfield’s famous nights.

Last season, the Reds finally broke their curse, a 2-0 victory ending an eight-game winless run against Los Blancos. Now, Jürgen Klopp’s men return to Anfield, chasing a 16th straight European home win — an Anfield fortress roaring under the lights.

Mohamed Salah stands on the brink of greatness: two goals from becoming the first African player to reach 50 in the Champions League. Across the pitch, a familiar face wears white now — Trent Alexander-Arnold, the Scouser turned Galáctico, facing the Kop for the first time.

Madrid’s own prodigy, Jude Bellingham, could rewrite history too. At 22 years and 128 days, he’s set to become the youngest ever player to make 50 Champions League appearances — eclipsing Iker Casillas, the symbol of Madrid’s golden past.

It’s not just a match. It’s memory, emotion, and destiny colliding.

2. PSG vs Bayern Munich

Paris have lost just two of their last 41 home Champions League group stage games, and the Parc des Princes is again a fortress. But Bayern are serial conquerors, with 13 wins in their last 15 meetings against French opposition.

All eyes will be on Ousmane Dembélé, who’s lived every twist of this rivalry — scorer, provider, even villain. He faces his old Bundesliga tormentors with something to prove. Meanwhile, Lucas Hernández meets his former teammates after switching red for blue.

At the other end, Harry Kane continues his European rampage — 11 goals in his last ten UCL appearances — while Joshua Kimmich eyes his 100th Champions League match for Bayern, joining legends Müller, Neuer, Lahm, and Kahn in elite company.

It’s a battle of old foes and new ambitions — with the scent of late drama thick in the Paris air.

3. Slavia Praha vs Arsenal

In Prague, memories of 2021 linger — when Arsenal crushed Slavia’s quarter-final dreams with a 4-0 rout.
Four years later, the Czech champions seek payback on home soil.

Slavia have found their scoring rhythm — goals in 26 of their last 27 European home games — but face an Arsenal side in imperious form. The Gunners are unbeaten in ten against Czech clubs, with seven straight UCL league-phase wins.

Gabriel Martinelli has found the net in all three of Arsenal’s group games — and the Brazilian’s fearless energy has made him Mikel Arteta’s symbol of this new Arsenal: vibrant, ruthless, relentless.

History favors the Gunners — but Slavia’s home spirit, under the lights of Eden Arena, makes this more than a formality. It’s redemption, reimagined.

4. Juventus vs Sporting CP
In Turin, it’s about legacy.

Juventus, chasing their 500th European Cup goal — the first Italian team to do so — meet Sporting CP, winless against Italian opposition since 2011.

The Bianconeri have stumbled on the continental stage lately — only two wins in their last 11 European games — and must rediscover their old ruthlessness. Sporting, ever daring, have scored in 19 straight group-stage matches, and will not come quietly.

For both sides, this isn’t just a fixture. It’s a test of belief.

Elsewhere Across Europe on Tuesday:

Tottenham vs Copenhagen
Napoli vs Frankfurt
Atlético Madrid vs Union Saint-Gilloise
Bodø/Glimt vs Monaco
Olympiacos vs PSV Eindhoven
PUNCH Online reports that the remaining games will take place on Wednesday.

Pafos vs Villarreal and Qarabağ vs Chelsea kick off early.
Ajax vs Galatasaray
Club Brugge vs Barcelona
Inter vs Kairat
Man City vs Dortmund
Newcastle vs Athletic Club
Marseille vs Atalanta
Benfica vs Leverkusen. Also reports that only five teams have maintained a perfect start winning all three games from the previous match days.