Lionel Messi walked onto the pitch against Algeria on June 17 and quietly did something no male footballer has ever done: he appeared in his sixth FIFA World Cup.
The 38-year-old led Argentina’s title defense in their 2026 opener, stretching a career that began at the tournament two decades ago into territory that belongs to him alone.
Six tournaments, one thread
Messi’s World Cup journey reads like a timeline of modern football itself. Germany 2006, South Africa 2010, Brazil 2014, Russia 2018, Qatar 2022, and now the 2026 edition hosted across North America.
In 2022, he lifted the trophy in what most assumed would be his last act on the global stage. No other male player has managed six appearances.
