Should Argentina reconsider Messi as their penalty taker at World Cup 2026?

As Argentina progresses through the knockout stages of the 2026 World Cup, questions arise about whether Lionel Messi should continue taking penalties. After missing two penalties in the tournament, including a crucial one against Egypt, the debate intensifies regarding his reliability from the spot.

Messi's Performance and Penalty Misses

In a dramatic comeback against Egypt, where Argentina trailed 2-0, Messi's missed penalty became a talking point. He had the chance to equalize but failed to convert, leading to discussions about his role as a penalty taker.

Despite his incredible track record in football, Messi's penalty statistics are less impressive. Over his World Cup career, he has converted only 4 of 8 penalties. This is a striking contrast to his open play scoring, where he has netted 17 goals from approximately 13.1 expected goals.

Statistics Show Room for Improvement

Messi's overall penalty conversion rate stands at 77%, which is respectable but below that of other top players. For comparison:

• Harry Kane: 90.7%
• Cristiano Ronaldo: 85.2%
• Erling Haaland: 84.1%
• Kylian Mbappe: 81.0%

Messi's approach to penalties is unique; he often waits for the goalkeeper to commit before deciding where to place the ball. This improvisational style, while effective in open play, may hinder his consistency from the spot.

Should Argentina Change Their Strategy?

Given Messi's current struggles, the question arises: should Argentina assign penalty duties to another player? Messi himself expressed regret after missing the penalty against Egypt, stating, "I cried because I felt that I let my teammates down because of the penalty I missed, and the way I took it."

While his contribution in other areas remains invaluable, Argentina may need to consider a strategic shift to enhance their chances in the tournament. The upcoming matches will likely influence this decision.