Lionel Messi spent most time walking on the pitch at 2026 World Cup. Messi left the competition as the player with the most appearances in World Cup history, the most wins, and the most assists ever recorded at the tournament. Why Messi walks on the pitchThe eight-time Ballon d'Or winner addressed this approach in a 2024 interview with Clank Media, cited by Goal. Messi drops in latest Ballon d'Or rankingsLegit.ng previously reported that Harry Kane is currently the leading favourite to win the 2026 Ballon d'Or weeks after the World Cup ended. Messi dropped to fifth despite being in the lead to win his record-extending ninth Golden Ball throughout the tournament in North America.