This Sunday, Lionel Messi will carve another notch in the annals of soccer history, equaling Brazil's Cafu as the only players to have taken part in three FIFA World Cup finals on the field.
The 39-year-old captain of Argentina will face off against Spain at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, starting at 3:00 PM Cuba time. Messi has described this match as “likely his last World Cup game.”
Messi's World Cup Final Journey
Messi's journey in World Cup finals began in 2014 in Brazil. Argentina suffered a narrow 1-0 loss to Germany in overtime, with Mario Götze scoring in the 113th minute. Despite the defeat, Messi was awarded the tournament's Golden Ball.
Eight years later, in Qatar 2022, Messi led Argentina to a thrilling victory against France, securing the championship in a dramatic penalty shootout, a title he had long pursued.
The Road to a Third Final
Messi reaches his third final following a dramatic comeback against England in Atlanta. Enzo Fernández and Lautaro Martínez clinched the victory with goals in the 85th and 90+2 minutes, overturning England's initial lead by Anthony Gordon.
Only Cafu has previously achieved this milestone, as documented by an analysis from Infobae. The Brazilian right-back played in the 1994 USA final, stepping in for an injured Jorginho, started in the 1998 loss to France, and captained his team to victory in the 2002 Korea-Japan final against Germany.
Historical Comparisons
Four other players have been part of three finalist squads in World Cup history, but none have played all three finals. Pelé was on the championship teams of 1958, 1962, and 1970 but missed the 1962 final due to injury. Ronaldo Nazário was part of the squads in 1994, 1998, and 2002, though he did not play in the 1994 final. German players Pierre Littbarski and Lothar Matthäus reached three consecutive finals between 1982 and 1990 without appearing in one of them.
2026: A Record-Breaking World Cup for Messi
The 2026 World Cup has been a record-breaking event for Messi. He is the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history with 21 goals, surpassing Miroslav Klose's 16, and is leading the Golden Boot race with eight goals and four assists in this tournament.
Messi is also the first player to compete in six World Cups and holds the record for the most matches played in the tournament's history with 27 games, surpassing Matthäus's 25.
MetLife Stadium: A Place of Emotional Significance
The MetLife Stadium holds special significance for Messi. It was here in 2016, after losing the Copa América final to Chile, that he announced his retirement from international football, a decision he later reversed.
After the semifinal against England, Messi dedicated the victory to those in need: “We are proud to give this joy to the people who are struggling, who are unemployed or can't make ends meet.”
If Argentina clinches the title this Sunday and reaches another final in four years, Messi could become the first player in history to compete in four World Cup finals.
Frequently Asked Questions about Messi's World Cup Achievements
How many World Cup finals has Lionel Messi played in?
Lionel Messi has played in three World Cup finals: 2014, 2022, and the upcoming 2026 final.
What records has Messi broken in the 2026 World Cup?
In the 2026 World Cup, Messi became the all-time leading scorer with 21 goals and surpassed the record for most matches played in World Cup history with 27 games.
What is the significance of the MetLife Stadium for Messi?
The MetLife Stadium is significant for Messi as it was the venue where he announced his international retirement in 2016 after losing the Copa América final, a decision he later reversed.