Messi breaks two World Cup records despite Argentina heartbreak

Lionel Messi added two more records to his extraordinary career on Sunday despite Argentina’s painful 1-0 defeat to Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.

The 39-year-old became the first footballer to start three World Cup finals, having also led Argentina against Germany in 2014 and France in 2022.

Messi also joined Brazilian legend Cafu as only the second player to feature in three different World Cup finals.

Cafu appeared in the 1994, 1998 and 2002 finals but entered the first as a substitute, leaving Messi as the only player to start three.

Messi also became the oldest outfield player to appear in a World Cup final at 39 years and 25 days.

He surpassed Sweden’s Gunnar Gren, who was 37 when he played against Brazil in the 1958 final.

Messi was unable to crown the occasion with another trophy as substitute Ferran Torres struck in the 106th minute to hand Spain their second world title.

Argentina played extra time with 10 men after Enzo Fernández was sent off in second-half stoppage time.

Although Messi struggled to influence the final, he finished the tournament with eight goals and four assists after driving Argentina’s bid to retain the trophy they won in Qatar four years earlier.

The Inter Miami forward ended the competition two goals behind France captain Kylian Mbappé, who claimed the Golden Boot with 10 goals.

The defeat denied Argentina a fourth World Cup title, but Messi’s latest records added another historic chapter to a career that has already delivered eight Ballon d’Or awards and football’s biggest prize.