He already had the goalscoring record. He already had the appearance record. Tuesday night in Atlanta, Lionel Messi he also took the assist record.After Argentina’s remarkable win against Egypt in the Round of 16, Messi recorded his ninth career World Cup assist, making him the most assists in World Cup history, surpassing the Argentine legend. Diego Maradonawho previously held the record with eight.The record attendance came in the most dramatic of circumstances. Argentina were trailing Egypt 2-0 when Messi found Cristian Romero in the box, and the centre-back headed home to pull one back and start one of the great World Cup comebacks. Messi then scored in the 83rd minute with a stunning volley from inside the box, before Enzo Fernández completed the turnaround in stoppage time. Argentina won 3-2, and Messi had touched the game in every way imaginable – record assist, crucial goal, winning influence.Messi’s ninth assist gives him the most in World Cup history, with the record previously shared between him and Maradona at eight.Croatia’s Ivan Perisic was on track with six assists, but Croatia were knocked out by Portugal in the Round of 16, meaning the record now looks all but certain.The numbers keep coming and they keep defying belief. Messi now has 12 career goal contributions in the FIFA World Cup Knockout scene, six goals and six assists, passing Pelé and Kylian Mbappé for the most in the last 60 years on record. He also became the first player in FIFA World Cup history to score in eight consecutive appearances.Messi had reached 30 World Cup appearances in six tournaments, the most in the history of any player, male or female, in a single World Cup.At 39 years of age. At his sixth and last World Cup. In a tournament with a bigger field and a longer travel map than any previous edition.Maradona set the assist record. Klose set the goalscoring record. Marta held the overall scoring record. One by one, Messi took them all. The record books in this World Cup belong entirely to one man and on Tuesday night in Atlanta, he reminded the world exactly why.