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Messi makes World Cup history with third final appearance
🇬🇷 Greece /Sports

Messi makes World Cup history with third final appearance

From Ta Nea · () Greek

Translated from Greek, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

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  • Lionel Messi made history in the 2026 World Cup final, becoming the second player ever to participate in three finals.
  • The 39-year-old forward achieved this milestone by starting in Argentina's match against Spain.
  • Messi now joins legendary Brazilian defender Cafu as the only players to have appeared in three World Cup finals.

Lionel Messi has etched another remarkable record into his legendary career, becoming only the second player in football history to feature in three World Cup finals. The 39-year-old Argentine superstar achieved this feat when he was named in the starting lineup for the 2026 World Cup final against Spain.

This historic appearance places Messi in an elite club alongside Brazilian icon Cafu, who also played in three World Cup finals. Messi's previous final appearances were in 2014 against Germany and in 2022 against France. Cafu participated in three consecutive finals with Brazil: 1994 in the USA, 1998 in France, and 2002 in Japan.

While Cafu won two of those three finals, Messi continues to add to his already mythical journey in the sport. The achievement highlights Messi's extraordinary longevity and consistent impact on the global stage, solidifying his status as one of the greatest players of all time.

DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Ta Nea in Greek. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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