Argentina’s captain, Lionel Messi, has plenty of footballing records to his name, whether at club level or for his country. At the age of 35, he is still going strong and continues to break records. Messi is currently busy playing in the Qatar 2022 competition with Argentina, and this is probably going to be his last World Cup appearance. So, this is his last opportunity to break any record related to the World Cup. Here is the one unique record Leo Messi can break if he plays in the FIFA World Cup 2022 final.
Which record can Lionel Messi break if Argentina reach the final?
Lionel Messi can break Lothar Matthaus’ World Cup appearance record if Argentina reaches the final and he plays in all of the games. Lionel Messi has played 21 matches and needs to play five more matches to surpass Lothar Matthaus’ 25 appearances in the World Cup tournament.
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Argentina will play four more matches (a group-phase match against Poland, the Round of 16, the quarterfinal, and the semifinal) if they overcome all the hurdles and book their place in the final. Lionel Messi is expected to be part of each of the contests if he stays fit.
If Argentina fail to qualify for the final, Messi can take the second or third position in most appearance lists, depending on how far Argentina can reach in the ongoing event. Miroslav Klose of Germany (24) and Paolo Maldini of Italy (23) are in second and third positions, respectively, on that list.
By taking part in the first two matches of the group stage, Lionel Messi already broke two records. When Messi came on the field against Saudi Arabia in Argentina’s first match, he became the first player to represent Argentina in five different World Cups and the fifth player overall to do so. Two days later, Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal became the sixth player to represent a country in five World Cups.
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Six players who represented their countries in five World Cup events
Player Team Tournaments
Antonio Carbajal Mexico 1950, 1954, 1958, 1962, 1966
Andres Guardado Mexico 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022
Lothar Matthaus Germany 1982, 1986, 1990, 1994, 1998
Rafael Marquez Mexico 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018
Lionel Messi Argentina 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022
Cristiano Ronaldo Portugal 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022
Lionel Messi
Argentina’s Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring his side’s opening goal during the World Cup group C soccer match between Argentina and Mexico, at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022
In Argentina’s second match against Mexico, Lionel Messi also set a new record. Messi became the first player to assist in five different World Cup events when he assisted Enzo Fernandez’s goal in the 87th minute.
Besides, Lionel Messi equaled compatriot Diego Maradona’s 8 goals in 21 appearances record while taking part in Argentina’s game against Mexico on November 27.
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Aftermath
Many believe Lionel Messi has to help Argentina win at least one World Cup before he can really be considered the best player ever. Messi and his teammates are driven to bring the country’s third World Cup while competing in Qatar 2022, but first they have to reach the final. Besides, Leo can also break multiple records, which would enhance his overall legacy.
Source: United News of Bangladesh