Argentina’s Lionel Messi arrived to compete in the 2026 World Cup . The first was how the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner entered the field, surpassing himself.
Messi is already the player with the most appearances in World Cups, with 27 gamesadding to the victory against Algeria by 3-0. The 2022 champion will reach up to 34 World Cup games in this edition, depending on his team’s campaign. THE The only active player closest to the Argentine is rival Cristiano Ronaldo, who played 22 games.
Still chasing himself, the number of minutes played is another record expanded to 2394 after his World Cup debut. Messi was also the player who captained the most times in the competition, with 20 appearances.
Another mark that the number 10 has already equaled is that of goals scored in the competition. , the same number as Miroslav Klose, with whom he shares the honor.
Messi also equaled Klose in World Cup victories, with 17. The Argentine also shares the lead in the number of World Cups played with Cristiano Ronaldo and Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, with six tournaments played, being those in 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022 and now in 2026.
