Lionel Messi continues to rewrite football history. Starting in Argentina’s round of 16 match against Cape Verde, the 39-year-old forward became the first player to appear in 30 World Cup matches. According to L’Equipe, Messi holds a comfortable lead in this record.
His closest rival is Cristiano Ronaldo, who has played in 26 World Cup games, followed by Lothar Matthäus with 25 appearances. Additionally, the Barcelona academy graduate is nearing another milestone—he could become the first player to score 20 goals in World Cup tournaments. For comparison, the most experienced French player remains Hugo Lloris, who has featured in 20 matches.
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