Lionel Messi to become second player to contest three World Cup finals after Cafu | OneFootball

Lionel Messi will contest his third World Cup final tonight against Spain in East Rutherford, with kick-off at 21:00. That feat makes him only the second player to reach three, after Cafu.

According to L'Équipe, Lionel Scaloni has handed the 39-year-old a start for Argentina.

Messi was beaten in 2014 in Rio by Germany, losing 1-0 after extra time.

He lifted the trophy eight years later in Doha after a 3-3 draw with France and a 4-2 win on penalties.

Cafu featured in the 1994 final against Italy, coming on after Jorginho’s injury in the 21st minute. The match finished 0-0 after extra time, Brazil winning 3-2 on penalties.

He then started the next two finals, losing 3-0 to France in 1998 and beating Germany 2-0 in 2002.

Pelé is the only player to have won three World Cups, in 1958, 1962 and 1970, although injury kept him out of the 1962 final against Czechoslovakia, which Brazil won 3-1.

Source: L'Équipe