Lionel Messi Misses Again: Why the World Cup’s Top Scorer Should Quit Penalties

**Lionel Messi** missed his fourth World Cup penalty on 13 July 2026, leaving Argentina trailing 2‑1 against France in the quarter‑finals. The Argentine legend has now converted only four of eight attempts in World Cup history, the poorest conversion rate for any player with ten or more tournament goals.

Messi’s first World Cup spot‑kick came on 24 June 2014 against Bosnia, a calm finish into the bottom‑left corner. His second, on 15 July 2018 versus Nigeria, slipped over the bar after a rushed run‑up. The third attempt, on 2 July 2022 against the Netherlands, was saved low by the Dutch keeper after Messi tried a low‑drive. The latest miss, on 13 July 2026, saw his chip bounce harmlessly off the post as France’s goalkeeper dived early.

Messi already holds the World Cup goal‑scoring record with 14 goals, surpassing Miroslav Klose’s 16‑goal mark in 2022. Yet his penalty conversion sits at 50 %, compared with the tournament average of roughly 78 %. Analysts argue that a string of high‑profile misses tarnishes an otherwise flawless scoring résumé. Fans recall the 2018 semi‑final loss to Croatia, where a missed spot‑kick could have altered the tie.

Argentina’s head coach Lionel Scaloni told reporters after the 2026 match, “Messi is a genius in open play, but the data shows his penalty record is slipping. We have to consider alternatives for the next round.” Former Spain manager Luis Enrique warned, “When a player’s penalty stats dip below 60 %, it’s time to rethink the role, even for a legend.” Both suggest that the team may look to other takers like Julian Álvarez or Paulo Dybala for future spot‑kicks.

Supporters argue that Messi’s composure and experience outweigh the numbers, pointing to his 2022 winning penalty against France. Critics counter that the psychological pressure on a star can affect the whole squad. If Argentina reaches the final, the decision could become a headline‑making tactical shift.

Argentina faces Brazil on 18 July 2026, with the penalty taker still undecided. Messi, now 39, will play the full 90 minutes unless injury forces a substitution. Whether he steps up for the spot‑kick or hands the duty to a teammate may define his final World Cup chapter.

Only a handful of World Cup greats have struggled from the spot. Germany’s Miroslav Klose missed three of seven attempts, while Brazil’s Ronaldo converted five of eight. Messi’s four misses place him at the bottom of that elite list, a stark contrast to his record‑breaking goal tally.

Twitter threads exploded after the 13 July miss, with hashtags #MessiPenalty and #StopMessiPenalties trending worldwide. Some fans posted tribute videos of his best goals, while others called for a tactical overhaul. The debate shows how a single statistic can dominate conversation around a player’s entire career.

Lionel Messi’s penalty woes add a new layer to his World Cup narrative. With the tournament entering its final stages, the Argentine side must decide whether to lean on their talisman or protect the team by assigning the spot‑kick to a fresher foot. The choice could influence not just the match outcome, but the way history remembers the greatest scorer of his generation.