FIFA World Cup 2022: Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, will face defending champions France in the FIFA World Cup 2022 final on Sunday. After the title match, the star striker has already announced his retirement from international duty. Argentina will compete in the tournament’s sixth final, with Messi aiming to win the first World Cup trophy of his illustrious career. Meanwhile, France is aiming to become only the third country, after Brazil and Italy, to win back-to-back World Cups.
Played his 1000th Match
Argentina captain Messi has been at his best in this edition of the tournament, playing pivotal roles in his team’s run to the final. When Argentina faced Australia in the round of 16, the 35-year-old played his 1000th match of his career. He and France’s Kylian Mbappe currently have the most goals in the tournament. Messi will be attempting some incredible records in the final on Sunday, which we have listed below.
Most World Cup victories by a single player
Messi has won 16 matches in FIFA World Cup tournaments in which he has competed. If Argentina wins the World Cup final, it will be the star striker’s 17th victory, making him the joint most successful World Cup player. Germany legend Miroslav Klose currently holds the record with 17 World Cup victories in his career.
Most World Cup appearances by a player
If Messi plays in the final on Sunday, he will surpass Lothar Matthaus of Germany as the player with the most World Cup appearances (25 appearances).
Most World Cup minutes played
Paolo Maldini, an Italian legend, has played the most minutes in World Cup history: 2,217. Messi has played 2,194 minutes and looks set to break the record in the final. The difference between the two is only 23 minutes.
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Most World Cup assists
Messi has provided nine assists in FIFA World Cup matches to date. Pele, the legendary Brazilian footballer, currently leads the list with ten assists. Messi will break the record if he assists his teammates in scoring at least two goals in the final.
Several Golden Ball awards
In the 2014 World Cup, Argentina’s striker was awarded the Golden Ball. The Golden Ball is given to the best all-around player in each World Cup edition. Messi is one of the favourites to win the award again this year. If he wins the coveted award, he will be the first player to receive two ‘Golden Balls’.
World Cup winner of both the Golden Boot and the Golden Ball
Aside from the Golden Ball, another award known as the Golden Boot is given to the highest goal-scorer in a World Cup edition. Only seven players have received both the Golden Boot and the Golden Ball: Leônidas da Silva (1938), Garrincha (1962), Ronaldo (1998 Golden Ball, 2002 Golden Boot), Paolo Rossi (1982), Salvatore Schillaci (1990), and former Argentina star Mario Kempes (1978). With five goals each, Messi and Mbappe are the leading goal scorers in this edition, and the former could surpass Mbappe and win the Golden Boot as well.
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