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

EPL: Rooney Names Team To Win Title

Published

1 hour ago

May 5, 2026

Editor

Former Manchester United striker, Wayne Rooney, has said Arsenal will go on to win the Premier League title, after Manchester City dropped points against Everton.

City were held to a 3-3 draw at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Monday night.

The result means Pep Guardiola’s men are now five points behind Arsenal, but they have one game in hand.

Rooney believes the Gunners will beat West Ham this weekend and go on to be champions.

He said on BBC Sport: “No, I’m concerned for West Ham. I just think Arsenal are efficient and professional.

“I just think they will win every game. So obviously, with the result tonight, that means they will win the league.”

Sports

UCL, EPL: Petr Cech Advises Chelsea On How To Win Trophies

Published

1 day ago

May 4, 2026

Editor

Chelsea legend, Petr Cech, has advised his old club on how to win the UEFA Champions League or the English Premier League.

Chelsea are already out of the Premier League title race this season, and they are at risk of missing out on UEFA Champions League qualification for next season because they are currently not in the ninth position on the Premier League table.

Speaking to The Athletic about Chelsea, Cech said that the Blues need to change their philosophy of signing only young players if they want to win the Premier League or Champions League.

According to the former goalkeeper, the Premier League west London club needs to add experienced players to mentor the young players in the squad.

“You have to look at what you want to achieve. You can have young, talented players, and you can win, but it’s very rare that you manage to do that,” he said.

“If you want to win every season and compete every season, that does not go together.

“You have to change your philosophy. Certain things don’t go together because, in order to win a Champions League or a Premier League… these are really tough competitions, and you have to be consistent.

“You need to have a strong core of the team. And then you can bring young, talented players who will grow faster and then will be held by the experienced players to help navigate them through difficult times when they come.”

Currently, Chelsea have just one player, Tosin Adarabioyo, who is over 28 this season, and the defender has not been playing regularly.

Sports

Enabulele Lauds Okpebholo’s Bold Reforms As Edo Sports Witnesses Revival

Published

5 days ago

April 30, 2026

Editor

The Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele, has commended Governor Monday Okpebholo for what he described as a bold and transformative approach to sports development.

Speaking on efforts to reposition sports in the state, Enabulele noted that with Okpebholo’s visionary leadership, the sector has witnessed renewed growth.

In a statement issued by his Media Officer, Edoko Wilson Edoko, the Edo Sports Commission boss attributed the progress to the governor’s strategic policies and sustained commitment to youth development, which he said have laid the foundation for a more structured and results-driven system.

“His Excellency has demonstrated clear vision and genuine commitment to sports development. The level of support we are receiving has significantly repositioned Edo as a competitive force in national sporting events,” he said.

He explained that targeted investments in grassroots development are already producing results, with a growing number of young talents being identified and nurtured across multiple disciplines.

“We are deliberately building from the grassroots. A large percentage of our athletes today are homegrown, which speaks to the sustainability of our development model,” Enabulele added.

The Commission, he noted, is also shifting away from an over-reliance on football to a broader multi-sport focus.

Edo State, he said, is now recording improved performances in athletics, combat sports, and other emerging areas.

“Our goal is to strengthen all sports. The results are beginning to show across different disciplines, and this is only the start,” he said.

Enabulele further pointed to ongoing improvements in sports infrastructure and athlete welfare as critical factors in sustaining performance and encouraging wider participation among young people.

“We are building a system that will endure. With the continued support of the governor, Edo is on course to becoming a dominant force in sports at both national and international levels,” he stated.

He expressed confidence that the current momentum would translate into greater achievements for Edo athletes, reaffirming the Commission’s commitment to excellence, discipline, and long-term development.