Lionel Messi’s World Cup odds remain a key part of the 2026 betting market as Argentina enters the tournament among the contenders. Even at this stage of his career, Messi continues to shape matches as both a scorer and creator.
Sportsbooks are offering a wide range of player props and futures tied to his goals, assists, and overall tournament impact as Argentina’s attack still runs through him.
Lionel Messi odds to score a goal
Messi’s anytime goalscorer odds hinge less on volume and more on involvement. Even as Argentina manage his minutes, his control of set pieces, penalties, and central buildup keeps him directly tied to their scoring output whenever he’s on the pitch.
This market will update as odds become available, along with Messi’s score-or-assist props and shots on target odds.
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Lionel Messi Golden Boot odds
Golden Boot markets tend to reward players whose teams stay alive deep into the tournament, and Argentina’s path matters more than any single matchup. The longer they advance, the more chances Messi has to impact the scoresheet across multiple rounds.
Messi may not play as an out-and-out striker, but he’s still the focal point of Argentina’s attack. He controls tempo, takes penalties and set pieces, and remains heavily involved in high-leverage moments around the box. That role keeps him directly tied to Argentina’s goal output whenever they advance.
At +1200, the market is balancing Messi’s age against his usage and opportunity. If Argentina pushes deep into the knockout rounds, that price leaves room for movement, especially if Messi starts converting early chances.
View the full range of Lionel Messi props at bet365.
Lionel Messi player bio
Lionel Messi enters the 2026 World Cup as the reigning champion and the centerpiece of Argentina’s attack, even as his role continues to evolve. While his minutes are more carefully managed than earlier in his career, Messi remains Argentina’s primary creator and a focal point in decisive moments.
He continues to operate between the lines, dictate tempo, and handle penalties and set pieces — responsibilities that keep him directly involved in goal production. Messi’s experience, decision-making, and positioning allow him to impact matches without relying on constant high-volume runs, making his usage and deployment key factors for bettors evaluating his World Cup odds and player props.
Lionel Messi international player stats
| Caps | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|
| 196 | 115 | 64 |
Messi’s international production remains elite. With 115 goals and 64 assists in 196 caps, his output reflects both longevity and sustained influence, reinforcing why his scoring and assist props stay priced aggressively when he’s on the pitch.
More World Cup player odds and props
How to bet on World Cup player props
World Cup player props allow bettors to wager on individual performances rather than match results. Common markets include goals, assists, shots, and tournament-long awards such as the Golden Boot. These props are influenced by factors like player roles, expected minutes, team tactics, and matchup quality.
Monitoring lineups, possession trends, and game state is key when evaluating value across individual matchups and futures markets.
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Lionel Messi FAQ
Lionel Messi's World Cup odds can update frequently based on line movement, matchup context, lineup news, and market demand. Prices may shift multiple times leading up to kickoff, especially once starting lineups are confirmed.
If Messi does does not play, most sportsbooks will void player prop bets. If he starts but plays limited minutes, the bet typically stands, making confirmed lineups an important factor when betting player props.
Yes. Most sportsbooks post player props before lineups are confirmed, with odds adjusting as kickoff approaches. Prices often move once expected minutes become clearer.
Casual bettors often benefit from focusing on player role, expected minutes, and involvement rather than relying on a single scoring outcome. Monitoring lineups, possession trends, and matchup context can help identify more reliable prop opportunities throughout the tournament.
Common player prop markets include goals, assists, shots, shots on target, and tournament-long awards such as the Golden Boot. Availability can vary by match and sportsbook.
