World Cup 2026: Messi sets record as first player to compete in six tournaments

Lionel Messi has achieved a historic milestone, becoming the first male footballer to play in six World Cup tournaments. The Argentine captain reached this landmark during his team's opening match against Algeria in Kansas City, where he was cheered on by a near-capacity crowd of fans.

At 38 years old, Messi's participation in this North American World Cup marks a significant moment in his illustrious career. He could hold this record solely for less than 24 hours, as Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to play in his sixth World Cup for Portugal on Wednesday. This achievement follows Messi's previous participation in five World Cups, starting as a teenager in 2006.

Beyond his World Cup record, Messi also reached 200 international appearances for Argentina, where he is the all-time leading scorer with 117 goals. The Inter Miami star is embarking on this final World Cup adventure to defend the title Argentina won in Qatar in 2022. This victory was a career-defining moment for the former Barcelona player, who has won numerous titles throughout his career, compensating for past World Cup disappointments, notably the 2014 final loss.