Lionel Messi eyes historic World Cup with Argentina | OneFootball

By Jaime Uribarri

All eyes will be on defending champions Lionel Messi and Argentina at the 2026 FIFA World Cup – perhaps more than any of their five previous tournament appearances.

Messi’s joint-record sixth World Cup is expected to be his last, as Inter Miami CF’s superstar No. 10 has hinted on multiple occasions that he’ll put an end to his legendary national team career after this summer’s competition. 

Ahead of Tuesday’s Group J opener against Algeria (9 pm ET; FOX, Telemundo, Peacock), let’s take a look at Messi’s extraordinary run with Argentina and what could be a historic World Cup swan song.

Argentina legend

Messi is soccer’s most decorated player of all time with 47 major trophies between club and country, many of them coming in recent years with Argentina.

In fact, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has guided La Albiceleste to four straight titles: 

This is in addition to runner-up finishes at the following major tournaments: 

Messi or Maradona?

As legendary as Messi’s tenure has been, the debate rages on whether he or the iconic Diego Armando Maradona is the country’s best-ever player. 

Just like Messi, Maradona led Argentina to World Cup glory (1986) and a runner-up finish (1990) while captivating an entire nation behind his technical brilliance and magnetic personality. 

Equally brilliant but far more reserved character-wise, Messi could settle the debate this summer by winning back-to-back World Cup titles with Argentina. 

Statistical dominance

Statistically speaking, there is no debate: Messi reigns supreme with Argentina. 

The 38-year-old dominates his country’s record books in all major categories:

World Cup icon

The biggest players deliver on the biggest stages, and Messi has proven this time and again at the World Cup. 

Messi is the only two-time World Cup Golden Ball winner - given to the competition’s best overall player - taking the honors in 2014 and 2022.

In the latter edition, he scored twice and converted from the penalty spot during an epic PK shootout win over France in what’s considered the greatest final in World Cup history. 

World Cup records

In total, Messi has 13g/8a in 26 previous tournament appearances from 2006-22.

He’s just three goals shy of equalling Germany’s Miroslav Klose’s record of 16 World Cup goals. 

The legendary No. 10 also boasts the following World Cup records:

Of course, Messi's ultimate goal is to win back-to-back World Cup titles with Argentina this summer. Only Italy (1934, '38) and Brazil (1958, '62) have achieved this feat.

MLS career

Messi is chasing back-to-back World Cup titles amid a dominant club career with Inter Miami. 

Since his transformative July 2023 arrival in South Florida, the legendary No. 10 has guided the Herons to three trophies: Leagues Cup 2023, the 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield, and MLS Cup 2025 presented by Audi.

He won the latter with Rodrigo De Paul, a fellow 2022 World Cup champion who’s joining Messi once again on Argentina’s 26-man squad this summer. 

As with his national team, Messi’s stats with Miami are unmatched:

WATCH: Argentina forward Lionel Messi | 2026 FIFA World Cup