Lionel Messi makes history as first man to play in six World Cups
Messi’s appearance in Argentina’s opener raised his World Cup total to 27 matches, and he passed Cristiano Ronaldo and other former record holders.
- On Tuesday, Lionel Messi made history as the first man to play in six different FIFA World Cups. The Argentina forward started the tournament opener against Algeria in Kansas City, Missouri, marking his 27th career match.
- The Argentine icon first featured in the 2006 World Cup at age 18, scoring during his debut against Serbia and Montenegro. He has appeared in every subsequent edition of the global tournament.
- In his 200th match for Argentina, Messi broke the record previously held by five men, including Cristiano Ronaldo and Lothar Matth. Across 27 World Cup appearances, the forward has scored 13 goals and provided eight assists.
- After surpassing Lothar Matth in the Qatar final, Messi previously held the record for most tournament appearances. The Inter Miami star has suggested this tournament will be his final international competitive appearance.
- While Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa was named to six World Cup squads, he did not play in every tournament. Messi remains the only player to actually take the pitch in six separate editions.
45 Articles
45 Articles
The GOAT's Amazing 20 Years: Superstar Lionel Messi, First Hat-trick + Record 16 Goals + First to Appear in 6 Consecutive World Cups → Even Tears of Emotion... "He Cried After Scoring the First Goal," 70,000 Spectators Give a Standing Ovation. Sports Chosun Reporter No Joo-hwan: "Yes, he cried after scoring the first goal. It seems completely unrelated to soccer." G
A tributary against Algeria, Lionel Messi is now the top scorer in the history of the World Cup. He has also signed a new record with a sixth historic participation at the World Cup for his 200th selection with Argentina. Here are the crazy numbers of the performance of the Octuple Ballon d'Or. - 200 selections, 16 goals and 6 participations at the World Cup... Lionel Messi enters a little more into history (Sports).
On the verge of 39 years, the debut in his sixth World Cup fed the figure of an unmatched footballer
Lionel Messi (38) is the first footballer to have played in a World Cup six times.
Lucky are those who resisted the strain on their eyes or heeded the alarm. Congratulations, for they witnessed history in the early hours of Wednesday. Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini opened his sixth World Cup by setting records in every area he could. Read more
Lionel Messi opens up World Cup with hat trick to answer back Kylian Mbappe — and then some
Just hours after France star Kylian Mbappé jumped Lionel Messi for the third-most goals scored in World Cup history, the Argentine answered back — three times. Messi opened up his first game at the 2026 World Cup with a hat trick in a brilliant performance.
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