Paris Saint-Germain forward Lionel Messi is beginning to set records at the FIFA World Cup. One came early once the ball got rolling for Argentina against Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.
OptaJavier pointed out on Twitter that Messi joins an exclusive group of players as he becomes the first South American player to have played in five different World Cups.
The 35-year-old has played in the 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018 and now 2022 editions of the World Cup, joining Mexican players Antonio Carbajal and Rafael Márquez and Germany’s Lothar Matthäus to reach this milestone.
5 – Lionel Messi 🇦🇷 se convertirá en el primer futbolista sudamericano en disputar cinco ediciones distintas de la Copa del Mundo (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018 y 2022). Solo Antonio Carbajal 🇲🇽, Rafael Márquez 🇲🇽 y Lothar Matthäus 🇩🇪 ostentan dicho registro hasta ahora. Consistencia. pic.twitter.com/SXSD7sEdyi
— OptaJavier (@OptaJavier) November 22, 2022
Although it’s a milestone that some will scoff at, considering all Messi had to do was make an appearance for Argentina. Nonetheless, it does show the longevity the PSG has been able to have during his career.
Furthermore, it also spotlights the form that Messi has been able to have for nearly two decades to be considered for a World Cup with Argentina, which has plenty of talent to take.
