Lionel Messi is about to join a select group of players who have won the World Cup on more than one occasion, something that hasn't happened since 2002, when Ronaldo Nazário and Cafu achieved it with Brazil. The Argentine team, winners of the 2022 World Cup, is preparing to compete in the 2026 World Cup final against Spain, with Messi and several teammates poised to achieve a historic feat.
The greatest winner in World Cup history remains Pelé, who won three titles with the Brazilian national team. He made his debut as a champion in 1958, at just 17 years old, becoming the youngest player to participate in a World Cup final. His impact was immediate, scoring two goals in the final against Sweden, which Brazil won 5-2. Pelé also added titles in 1962, where he did not play due to injury, and in 1970, the year he shone at the Estadio Azteca, with four goals and two assists in the final against Italy.
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Messi, regarded as the greatest talent in football, has an impressive record in World Cups, with 21 goals in six tournaments. In 2014, Argentina came close to the title, losing in the final to Germany in extra time. Glory arrived in 2022 when Messi scored seven goals, including two in the final against France and converted a penalty in the shootout. He received the World Cup Golden Ball for the second time, a unique achievement. In 2026, at the age of 39, Messi continued to impress, scoring eight goals, including his first hat-trick in a World Cup against Algeria, demonstrating that age has little effect on his performance.
Ronaldo Nazário, another Brazilian legend, won two World Cup titles, in 1994 and 2002, being decisive in the latter by scoring two goals in the final against Germany. Kylian Mbappé, at 27 years old, has already won a World Cup in 2018 and stood out in 2022 with eight goals, including a hat-trick in the final, although France finished as runners-up. In 2026, despite scoring another eight goals, Mbappé could not secure a second title.
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On the less fortunate statistical side, Paolo Maldini holds the record for the most appearances in World Cups without winning the trophy, with 23 matches in four editions, having been eliminated by the Brazilian team in a penalty shootout in 1994.
The possibility of Messi adding a second World Cup title to his collection elevates him to an exclusive level and reinforces his position among the greatest in football history. The final clash in 2026 against Spain promises to be the stage for a decision that could further immortalize the Argentine legend.
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