We are just a few days away from the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and there are several records that could be broken in this edition.
However, there are other records that are unlikely to change hands, not because the elite level has changed, but because some rules and measures do not allow it, such as Diego Maradona being the player with the most fouls received in World Cup history. Although there are other players who come close.
Maradona leads the ranking: Who follows him?
The Argentine star played in four World Cups (1982, 1986, 1990, 1994), with his performance as captain and world champion in Mexico 1986 standing out. However, just as he brought Argentina its second cup after the first trophy in 1978, he was also the target of fouls.
Since this type of data began to be recorded in 1970, Diego has received a total of 152 fouls and is the player who leads the table in this category, according to Olé. In fact, more than 100 of them occurred in Mexico ’86 and Italy ’90 alone, and in his 21 games played in four World Cups, he received an average of 7.23 per game.
Another Argentine follows him in the ranking: Lionel Messi. The current captain of the Albiceleste has received 75 fouls in this tournament, with an average of 2.88 per game in 26 matches in five World Cups.
The list continues with two Brazilians, Jairzinho and Neymar, with 64 and 60 fouls respectively. In fifth place is Cristiano Ronaldo with 58.
Unlike Leo, Neymar averages 4 per game in his 3 World Cups, while Cristiano, in the same number of World Cups played as Messi and in 22 games played, averages 2.63.
If Messi, Ney, and CR7 participate in the 2026 edition, their statistics could change, but it is unlikely that they will catch up with Maradona, especially given the rigor with which progress has been made to avoid this type of situation as much as possible.
Soccer was a much more physical and contact sport in the era when Diego played. However, now, with changes in the rules and regulations to protect players, such as tougher penalties and, above all, the help of technology with the advent of VAR, these types of cases, such as that of Diego Maradona, have been reduced.
The World Cup for Neymar, Messi, and Cristiano
Lionel’s Argentina team will be in Group J, alongside Austria, Algeria, and Jordan. They will make their debut against Algeria on Tuesday, June 16. They will then face Austria on Monday, June 22, and Jordan on Friday, June 26.
Meanwhile, in Group K, Portugal will face Colombia, Uzbekistan, and the winner of the Intercontinental Playoff between Jamaica, Congo, and New Caledonia. On Wednesday, June 17, Portugal will play its opening match against the winner of the Intercontinental Playoff. On Tuesday, June 23, it will face Uzbekistan, and on Saturday, June 27, Colombia.
Brazil will be in Group C alongside Morocco, Haiti, and Scotland. It will make its debut against Morocco on Saturday, June 13, at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium.
However, Lionel has not yet confirmed his participation in the tournament, and Neymar will have to recover from his injuries “100%” if he wants to be among Ancelotti’s selections. Only Cristiano has confirmed his presence, although he has stated that this will be his last World Cup. Without a doubt, this will be a very special tournament.
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