Sports

Players That Broke Records At The 2022 World Cup

Published

3 years ago

December 19, 2022

Editor

The just-concluded 2022 FIFA World Cup brought all the excitement, emotions, tears, both of joy and sorrow, that fans all over the world signed up for.

With heart-bumping, nail-biting and all-round spectacular performances from the 32 teams that sojourned to the desert country of Qatar in search of the trophy, many new records have been set, jinxes broken and history rewritten.

Argentina defeated France in the World Cup final to clinch the most sought after trophy in world football, breaking a 36-year jinx, Morocco did the same for the entire African continent, breaking an 88-year jinx by reaching a World Cup semi-final while many players have gone on to set numerous individual records for themselves, writing their names in the sands of time.

In this piece, The PUNCH examines all players that set new individual records in the just-concluded 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Lionel Messi

The Argentina star did not only break a record with the Argentina national team, the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner broke the most individual records of the tournament. Asides winning the 35-year-old set records for appearances, goals, assists and many more. They are;

Most Man of the Match awards won in FIFA World Cup history – 8
First person to assist at five different FIFA World Cups
Most FIFA World Cup appearances as captain: 19
Most appearances in FIFA World Cup tournaments by a player
Only player to win two Golden Balls [Best player of the tournament] – 2014, 2022
The most number of minutes played in the World Cup with 234 minutes, surpassing Paolo Maldini.
Oldest player to register a goal and an assist in a World Cup game [vs. Saudi Arabia] at 35
Oldest player to register a goal and an assist in a World Cup knockout game [quarterfinal vs. Netherlands, semifinal vs. Croatia] at 35
Most goal contributions in a World Cup – 21 total (13 goals and 8 assists)
Most appearances in FIFA World Cups – 26
Most goals at World Cup for an Argentina player – 13
The first player to score in Group Stage, the Round of 16, Quarter-finals, Semi-finals, and Final in a single edition of a World Cup.

Kylian Mbappe

Mbappe was unarguably the star of the final for the French team, scoring a hat-trick and dragging Argentina into a penalty shootout. The young champ gave a very good fight. Even though France did not win the trophy, Mbappe has many wins in the bag for himself.

Most goals by a player aged 23 or younger in a single World Cup all-time – 8
Most World Cup knockout stage goals aged 23 or younger in a World Cup- 7
Most goals scored at a World Cup final than any other player – 4
The second player to score a hat-trick in the men’s World Cup final

Cristiano Ronaldo

Despite not wining the World Cup, Cristiano Ronaldo remains a legend. His contributions and efforts in football cannot be underrated or underestimated. Portugal was sent out of the World Cup tournament after Morocco beat them in the quarter-finals round. However, the Portuguese star set a new record for himself as;

The first footballer to score at five World Cups

Manuel Neuer

Germany’s goalkeeper, Manuel Neuer, also broke a record during this year’s World Cup. Germany exited the tournament at the group stage but Neuer did well to set a new record before leaving.

Most appearances for a goalkeeper in World Cup history – 19

Olivier Giroud

Giroud had a good run at the World Cup and did quite well for himself. He showed up for France time and time again when needed and delivered up until the final. For France national team Giroud set a new record.

Most goals for France -52

Leandro Paredes

An individual cannot make a team but the team can make individual players stand out. Paredes contributions to Argentina’s win paid off as the 28-year-old defensive midfielder set a new record for himself.

Most passes completed by a substitute in a World Cup match -77

Jamal Musiala

19-year-old Jamal Musiala did well for himself to set a new record, although he had a brief run at the World Cup. The German footballer was one of the fe teenagers that set foot on the world stage and he made sure he made a mark during his short run.

Most dribbles in a World Cup match by a teenager -12, vs. Costa Rica

Related Topics:2022 FIFA World Cup featured

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Sports

Full List Of Nominees For CAF Awards 2025 Unveiled

Published

3 months ago

October 17, 2025

Editor

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced the complete list of nominees for the 2025 CAF Awards, set to take place later this year.

The CAF aawards celebrates outstanding performances and achievements across African football, recognising excellence among players, coaches, clubs, and national teams in both the men’s and women’s categories.

This year’s shortlist features a blend of experienced stars and emerging talents who have made remarkable contributions to African football over the past season.

Nigerian players such as Rasheedat Ajibade, Chiamaka Nnadozie, and Esther Okoronkwo headline the women’s nominations, while Nigerian clubs and coaches also appear in various categories — reflecting the country’s continued influence in African football.

Below is the full list of nominees in the women’s categories for the CAF Awards 2025:

CAF Awards: Women’s Player of the Year

Portia Boakye
Tabitha Chawinga
Temwa Chawinga
Ghizlane Chebbak
Mama Diop
Rasheedat Ajibade
Esther Okoronkwo
Sanaa Mssoudy
Barba Banda
Racheal Kundananji

Women’s Club of the Year

Gaborone United
ASEC Mimosas
TP Mazembe
USFAS Bamako
ASFAR
DE Agosto
Mamelodi Sundowns
Bayelsa Queens FC
Aigles De La Medina
JKT Queens

Women’s National Team of the Year

Cameroon U17
Ghana
Ivory Coast U17
Mali
Morocco
Nigeria U17
Nigeria
South Africa
Tanzania
Zambia U17

Women’s Young Player of the Year

Habiba Essam
Habiba Sabry
Stella Nyamekye
Doha El Madani
Winfrida Gerald
Ester Maseke Marwa
Adji Ndiaye
Shakirat Moshood
Mercy Chipasula
Ruth Mukoma

Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year

Chloe N’Gazi
Sedilame Boseja
Fideline Ngoy
Habiba Emad
Chiamaka Nnadozie
Khadija Er-Rmichi
Fatoumata Karentao
Cynthia Konlan
Adji Ndiaye
Andile Dlamini

Coach of the Year (Women)

Adelaide Koudougnon
Siaka Gigi Traore
Lamia Boumehdi
Genoveva Anonman
Justine Madugu
Bankole Olowookere
Jorge Vilda
Kim Bjorkegren
Desiree Ellis
Carol Kanyemba

Sports

Nigerian-Born Benin Republic Footballer, Razak Omotoyossi Dies At 39

Published

5 months ago

August 19, 2025

Editor

Nigerian-born Beninese international Razak Omotoyossi has passed away at the age of 39, though the cause of death has not yet been revealed.

His death was confirmed on Tuesday, August 19, by his former Swedish club, Helsingborgs IF.

In a post on X (Formerly Twitter), the club wrote: “Helsingborgs IF is in mourning.

“We have been informed that our former player Razak Omotoyossi has passed away at the age of 39. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones.”

Omotoyossi, who switched nationality to represent Benin after starting his career in the Nigerian league, became one of the country’s most celebrated footballers.

He scored 21 goals in 55 international appearances, placing him among Benin’s all-time top scorers.

He is fondly remembered for his performance during the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, where he netted all four goals in Benin’s 4-1 victory over Togo and finished as joint top scorer of the campaign alongside Samuel Eto’o.

He also made history as the first player to score for Benin at the Africa Cup of Nations finals.

At club level, Omotoyossi had a career spanning Africa, Europe, and the Middle East, with stints in South Africa, Libya, Egypt, Syria, Moldova, Sweden, and France.

He particularly excelled at Helsingborgs IF in Sweden, where he featured in the UEFA Champions League before moving to French side FC Metz.