Messi could break and match several records, including 🇧🇷 ones, on Sunday

Messi could break and match several records, including 🇧🇷 ones, on Sunday Messi may have saved his best version as Argentina’s No. 10 for the World Cup that could be his last. On Sunday, against Spain, the star could break and match several records to cement his name forever in World Cup history. Take a look at the milestones the Argentine could reach, according to Planet Football: 👴🏻 Oldest outfield player in a World Cup final Just by stepping onto the pitch, at 39 years and 25 days old, he would become the oldest outfield player ever to play in a final. He would only trail Italian goalkeeper Dino Zoff, who was 40 years and 133 days old when he played in the 1982 final. 👴🏻 Oldest player to score in a World Cup final Obviously, if he scores, he would also become the oldest player ever to find the net in a final. The record currently belongs to Sweden’s Nils Liedholm, who was 35 years and 264 days old when he scored in 1958. 3️⃣ Joint record-holder for most World Cup finals played A large part of Argentina’s squad was in the 2022 final, but only Messi was also on the field in the 2014 decider.  That means he could equal Cafu, who remains the only player to have played in three World Cup finals. 💥 Most goals and assists in a single World Cup since records began With eight goals and four assists recorded so far, he is just one away from the record for the most goal involvements in a single World Cup since records began in 1966. The current record-holder is Gerd Müller, who combined for 13 goals and assists for West Germany in 1970. Messi would draw level with one more, and would become the outright record-holder if he is involved in two more goals. 🔝 Joint record-holder for scoring in the most World Cup finals If Messi finds the net against Spain, he would become the sixth player to score in two different World Cup finals. He would share the record with Vavá and Pelé (both of Brazil), Paul Breitner (West Germany), Zinedine Zidane, and Kylian Mbappé (both of France). 👀 Most free-kick goals in the World Cup Messi is currently tied as one of seven players who hold the record of scoring two free-kick goals at the World Cup, thanks to his brilliant strike against Jordan in the group stage. If he scores another in the World Cup final, he would become the sole holder of the record with three. 👴🏻 Oldest player to retain the World Cup title Argentina could become only the third national team to win back-to-back World Cups, after Italy in 1934 and 1938 and Brazil in 1958 and 1962. If that happens, Messi would become the oldest player to retain (successfully defend) the World Cup title, a record currently held by Brazil’s Nilton Santos (who was 37 in 1962). 🥇 Top scorer for a World Cup-winning national team It is unlikely that Messi will break Fontaine’s record of 13 goals in a single World Cup. He would need five more goals in the final alone just to tie it. However, Messi could become the player with the most goals for a World Cup-winning team if Argentina win. That record is currently held by Brazil’s Ronaldo, who scored eight times during Brazil’s triumphant 2002 campaign. Messi already has eight goals in the 2026 edition, so he only needs two things to happen: a goal and a win. 🏆 First player to win two World Cups as captain Argentina’s defeat in the 2014 World Cup final kept Pelé as the only player in history to win three World Cups. But now Messi can break another record. Many players have won two titles, but Messi could become the first captain to lift the trophy twice. Giuseppe Meazza, Bellini, Mauro, Cafu, and Daniel Passarella lifted the trophy twice, but each of them did so wearing the captain’s armband only once. Which of these records do you think Messi will break on Sunday? Write in the comments! This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.