Argentina faced Spain in the 2026 World Cup final, giving Lionel Messi another opportunity to add to his extraordinary international legacy. Unfortunately, it wasn’t meant to be this time.
At 39 years old, Messi delivered on soccer’s biggest stage but it wasn’t enough for Argentina, who fell to Spain in a heartbreaking final that was decided in overtime by a Ferran Torres goal.
This ended Messi and Argentina’s quest for back-to-back world championships after their epic Qatar 2022 triumph. Still, Messi’s World Cup legacy is historic.
How many World Cup finals has Lionel Messi played?
The 2026 World Cup final was Lionel Messi’s third World Cup final with Argentina. His first appearance came in 2014, when Argentina reached the final in Brazil but lost 1-0 to Germany after extra time.
Eight years later, Messi finally achieved his greatest international dream by leading Argentina to victory over France in one of the greatest World Cup finals ever played, winning the 2022 title in Qatar.
In 2026, Messi and Argentina’s hearts were once again broken in overtime. This time, it was Spain, who emerged victorious thanks to a Ferran Torres goal.
What is Lionel Messi’s record in World Cup finals?
After the 2026 final, Messi owns a 1-2 record in World Cup finals. He suffered heartbreak against Germany in 2014 but captured the long-awaited title in 2022 after defeating France on penalties following a dramatic 3-3 draw.
The final against Spain resulted in a heartbreaking defeat, in which Argentina couldn’t force penalties and fell in overtime.
Can Messi make more World Cup history?
Lionel Messi may not retire from Argentina immediately after the 2026 World Cup, but another World Cup appearance in 2030 for the 8x Ballon d’Or winner seems unlikely. Only time will tell us if Messi decides to make more World Cup history with more than 40 years of age.
