Messi dominates betting markets during record-breaking World Cup appearance
Lionel Messi's historic World Cup appearance generated significant betting activity, with Sportradar data showing the Argentina captain accounted for more than 90 per cent of wagers across key player goalscoring markets.
Lionel Messi’s record-breaking World Cup appearance generated strong engagement across global betting markets, according to data from Sportradar.
The sports technology company processed more than four million betting tickets through its network of 250 betting operator clients during Argentina’s match against Austria, which saw Messi become the World Cup’s all-time leading goalscorer.
The Argentine forward dominated player betting markets throughout the game. In the ‘player to score’ market, Messi accounted for 93 per cent of all betting volume, underlining bettors’ confidence in the 38-year-old’s goalscoring form.
Messi also attracted overwhelming support in the ‘player to score with left foot’ market, accounting for 90 per cent of betting volume. Those wagers proved successful as both of his goals came with his preferred left foot.
The match also generated a notable in-play betting surge following Messi’s missed penalty in the eighth minute. Sportradar reported that approximately 10 per cent of all money wagered during the game was placed in the period immediately after the miss, between the 11th and 15th minutes, as bettors reacted to the unexpected moment.
The figures highlight Messi’s continued influence on betting markets as fans followed his pursuit of World Cup history.
