At the age of 35, Messi plays his last World Cup at a very high level, with five goals scored (he is one of the top scorers) and three assists, in addition to outstanding performances, such as the quarterfinal against Croatia.
As the Argentine is one of the best players in the history of football, attention is directed, in addition to the search for the unprecedented title, to the records he reached or may still reach.
Check out which marks the number 10 obtained in the World Cup in Qatar and the ones he has a chance to record in the Cup final, on Sunday (18), at the Lusail stadium.
FIVE WORLD CUPS
In Qatar, Messi became one of the athletes with the most appearances in World Cups (5), alongside the Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo, the German Lothar Mathtäus and the Mexicans Antonio Carbajal, Rafa Márquez and Andres Guardado.
MORE MATCHES IN CUPS
Messi shares with the German Matthäus the most matches played in World Cups (25). Entering the field in the decision, he will become the isolated record holder.
MORE TIMES CAPTAIN IN CUPS
Messi became, after playing six games in Qatar, the athlete who most often acted as captain in Cups (18). Mexican Rafa Márquez comes next, having worn the stripe in 17 games.
ARGENTINA’S GUNNER
Messi, with the five balls he scored in Qatar, reached 11 goals in Cups, leaving behind compatriots Gabriel Batistuta (10), Diego Maradona and Guillermo Stábile (both 8).
MORE MINUTES IN CUPS
Messi accounts for 2,194 minutes played in World Cups. He is only behind Paolo Maldini (1990, 1994, 1998 and 2002 Cups) and needs to play 24 minutes of the final to overtake the Italian defender/back (2,217 minutes).
MORE CUP WINS
Messi has 16 wins in the 25 matches he has played in World Cups. Ahead of him is only the German Miroslav Klose, with 17 wins in 24 games (2002, 2006, 2010 and 2014 Cups)).
MORE TIMES THE BEST ON THE FIELD
Messi, elected “Man of the Match” four times in Qatar, has in his collection ten best of the game awards (established in the 2002 World Cup), three more than the Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo.
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