Messi is hoping to overcome injury to help Argentina become the first back-to-back World Cup champions since 1962.
Previous World Cup appearances: 18
Best performance: Winners (1978, 1986, 2022)
First appearance: 1930 (Uruguay)
Top goal scorer: Lionel Messi (13)
Most appearances: Lionel Messi (26)
Messi is hoping to overcome injury to help Argentina become the first back-to-back World Cup champions since 1962.
Argentina are not among the top few favourites at the 2026 World Cup, but La Albiceleste still boast world-class talent.
Argentina is looking to become the first back-to-back World Cup champion in over half a century.
Despite Lionel Messi's presence, Argentina enter the 2026 final as underdogs to Spain and their starlet Lamine Yamal.
Only two nations have ever successfully defended the World Cup, but Argentina is more than up for the task this summer.
The soccer legend is already competing in his sixth-career World Cup, but Argentina may need him for a seventh.
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