Lionel Messi Reaches Milestone in 2026 FIFA World Cup
Messi's Historic 200th Cap for Argentina
In a remarkable achievement, Lionel Messi has been included in Argentina's starting lineup by head coach Lionel Scaloni for their opening match against Algeria in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, held on June 17 in Kanas. At 38 years old, Messi is leading the defending champions as they strive to become the first team in 64 years to successfully defend their title. This match marks Messi's 200th appearance for Argentina, further solidifying his extraordinary legacy in international football. This tournament marks the sixth time Argentina has qualified for the World Cup during Messi's career.
Messi Makes History
Messi has become the first South American player to reach 200 international matches and only the third player in football history to achieve this milestone. The record for the most international appearances is held by Cristiano Ronaldo, with Kuwait's Bader Ahmed al-Mutaw also on the list.
Most Capped International Players
| Player | Country | Matches |
| Cristiano Ronaldo | Portugal | 228 |
| Bader Ahmed al-Mutaw | Kuwait | 203 |
| Lionel Messi | Argentina | 200 |
| Luka Modric | Croatia | 198 |
| Soh Chin Ann | Malaysia | 195 |
Croatian football icon Luka Modric is expected to join this elite group during the tournament, potentially reaching the milestone in a match against Panama on June 23 if he plays in the first two games. Messi has also made history as the first player to participate in six different editions of the World Cup. Ronaldo is set to join him in this record when he plays for Portugal against the DR Congo in their opening match. Additionally, Messi has extended his record as the most capped player in World Cup history with his 27th appearance, surpassing the previous record of 25 held by Germany's Lothar Matthaus. This match also marks Messi's 20th time captaining a team in the tournament, a record previously held by Mexico's Rafael Marquez.