Lionel Messi Equals World Record Ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026
FIFA World Cup 2026 Approaches
The highly anticipated FIFA World Cup 2026 is set to commence on June 11, with the United States, Canada, and Mexico as the host nations. Argentina, the reigning champions, aim to defend their title and secure their fourth World Cup victory. Manager Lionel Scaloni recently unveiled the complete squad for the tournament, drawing attention to the legendary Lionel Messi. Following the squad announcement on May 28, Messi has matched a significant record held by his longtime competitor, Cristiano Ronaldo. He has been selected for his sixth World Cup, having previously participated in the tournaments of 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, and 2022. This achievement makes him the player with the most World Cup selections, equaling Cristiano Ronaldo's record, who was also named in the Portugal squad for the upcoming tournament.
Most FIFA World Cup Call-Ups
Players with the Most FIFA World Cup Selections:
| Player | Country | Number Of Call-Ups | Played | Editions |
| Cristiano Ronaldo | Portugal | 6 | 5 | 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, 2026 |
| Lionel Messi | Argentina | 6 | 5 | 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, 2026 |
| Antonio Carbajal | Mexico | 5 | 5 | 1950, 1954, 1958, 1962, 1966 |
| Andrés Guardado | Mexico | 5 | 5 | 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022 |
| Lothar Matthäus | Germany | 5 | 5 | 1982, 1986, 1990, 1994, 1998 |
| Rafael Márquez | Mexico | 5 | 5 | 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018 |
| Gianluigi Buffon | Italy | 5 | 4 | 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014 |
| Yuto Nagatomo | Japan | 5 | 4 | 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, (2026) |
| Luka Modrić | Croatia | 5 | 4 | 2006, 2014, 2018, 2022, (2026) |
| Guillermo Ochoa | Mexico | 5 | 3 | 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022 |
Lionel Messi's Injury Update
Is Lionel Messi Injured?
Recently, Lionel Messi caused concern among fans when he exited the field during Inter Miami's MLS match against Philadelphia Union, appearing to clutch his hamstring after a free kick. With the FIFA World Cup 2026 approaching, news of a potential injury sent shockwaves through the fanbase. Fortunately, Inter Miami later reassured supporters, stating that no significant damage was found. However, they did not specify a timeline for his return. In a statement, the club mentioned, "Inter Miami CF’s captain had to leave the field on Sunday, May 24, due to physical discomfort. After further medical evaluations on Monday, the initial diagnosis suggests an overload related to muscle fatigue in his left hamstring. The timeline for his return to physical activity will depend on his clinical and functional progress."
Argentina's Squad for FIFA World Cup 2026
Argentina Squad For FIFA World Cup 2026:
Goalkeepers: Juan Musso (Atletico Madrid), Geronimo Rulli (Marseille), Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa).Defenders: Leonardo Balerdi (Marseille), Nicolas Tagliafico (Lyon), Gonzalo Montiel (River Plate), Lisandro Martinez (Manchester United), Cristian Romero (Tottenham), Nicolas Otamendi (Benfica), Facundo Medina (Marseille), Nahuel Molina (Atletico Madrid).Midfielders: Leandro Paredes (River Plate), Rodrigo de Paul (Inter Miami), Valentin Barco (Strasbourg), Giovani lo Celso (Real Betis), Ezequiel Palacios (Bayer Leverkusen), Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool), Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea).Forwards: Julian Alvarez (Atletico Madrid), Lionel Messi (Inter Miami), Nicolas Gonzalez (Atletico Madrid), Thiago Almada (Atletico Madrid), Giuliano Simeone (Atletico Madrid), Nico Paz (Como), Jose Manuel Lopez (Palmeiras), Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan).