Messi sets all-time World Cup appearance record with 34 games after 2026 tournament

Lionel Messi has cemented his legacy as the most experienced player in World Cup history, finishing the 2026 tournament with a record 34 appearances. The Argentine captain, who played in his sixth World Cup across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, surpassed Germany legend Lothar Matthaus, whose previous record of 25 matches had stood for 24 years. Messi entered the 2026 edition already holding the mark after overtaking Matthaus during Argentina’s victorious 2022 campaign in Qatar. Despite leading his team to the final again, Argentina fell 1-0 to Spain in the 2026 title match. Cristiano Ronaldo also competed in his sixth World Cup this summer and sits second on the all-time list with 27 appearances. Matthaus remains third with 25, followed by Miroslav Klose (24). Paolo Maldini, Luka Modric, and Manuel Neuer are tied at 23 games each. Kylian Mbappe, still only 27, has already made 22 appearances after featuring in the third-place playoff against England in 2026. The list includes other greats: Diego Maradona, Uwe Seeler, Wladyslaw Zmuda, Nicolas Otamendi, Ivan Perisic, and Thibaut Courtois all have 21 games. A group of six players—Hugo Lloris, Cafu, Philipp Lahm, Grzegorz Lato, Javier Mascherano, and Bastian Schweinsteiger—share 20 appearances.