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FIFA World Cup 2022: Argentina captain Lionel Messi has shown peak form in this edition of the tournament. And he played pivotal roles in his team’s campaign to reach the final.
Argentina, led by 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. Meanwhile, France is aiming to become only the third country, after Brazil and Italy, to win back-to-back World Cups.
Argentina captain Lionel Messi has shown peak form in this edition of the tournament and he played a pivotal role in his team’s campaign to reach the final.
The 35-year-old played the 1000th match of his career when Argentina took on Australia in the round of 16. He and France’s Kylian Mbappe are currently the joint-highest goal-scorers in the tournament.
Lionel Messi will be eyeing some incredible records in the final on Sunday and we have enlisted them here.
– Most wins by a player in the World Cup: Lionel Messi has won 16 matches in FIFA World Cup tournaments that he took part in. If Argentina wins the final, it will be the star striker’s 17th win which will make him the joint-most winner of World Cup matches. Currently, Germany legend Miroslav Klose holds the record with 17 wins in World Cups in his career.
– Most appearances by a player in the World Cup: If Messi appears in the final on Sunday, he will become the player with the most world cup appearances surpassing Germany’s Lothar Matthaus (25 appearances).
– Most minutes played in World Cup: Italian legend Paolo Maldini has played the most minutes in World Cup history: 2,217. Messi has appeared for 2,194 minutes and is well poised to claim the record in the final. Only 23 minutes is the difference between the two.
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– Most assists in World cup: Messi has performed a total of nine assists in FIFA World Cup matches till to date. Currently, Brazil legend Pele sits at the top with ten assists to his name. If Messi manages to help his teammates in scoring at least two goals in the final, he will claim the record.
– Most goal contributions: Messi has 20 goal contributions including 11 goals and nine assists in FIFA World Cup tournaments. Brazil legend Pele holds the record with 22 goal contributions. including 12 goals and 10 assists across all editions that he participated in. Therefore, Messi will have the golden chance to surpass or equal Pele’s tally.
– Multiple Golden Ball awards: The Argentina striker bestowed with the Golden Ball in the 2014 World Cup. The Golden Ball awarded to the best all-round player in an edition of the World Cup. Messi is one of the favorites to get the honor this time around too. If he manages to win the coveted award, he will become the first player to win two ‘Golden Balls’.
– Most minutes played in World Cup: Italian legend Paolo Maldini has played the most minutes in World Cup history: 2,217. Messi has appeared for 2,194 minutes and well poised to claim the record in the final. Only 23 minutes is the difference between the two.
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