Photo: Agencies.
While fulfilling Paris Saint-Germain commitments, Lionel Messi is focused on one of the key challenges of his career: the World Cup in Qatar 2022. After removing a thorn in the 2021 Copa America, the flea is looking to lead Argentina national team on the way to a new international title.
In addition to the collective goal, the Albiceleste emblem will have the opportunity to break a number of individual records at the event, which will take place in the Asian country. Next, find out the 5 records Messi could equal at the next World Cup.
One of the footballers with the most World Cups played
Messi reaches his fifth World Cup appearance and will draw level with Mexico’s Antonio Carbajal (Brazil 1950, Switzerland 1954, Sweden 1958, Chile 1962 and England 1966) and Rafa Marquez (Korea-Japan 2002, Germany 2006, South Africa 2010, Brazil). 2014 and Russia 2018), the German Lothar Matthäus (Spain 1982, Mexico 1986, Italy 1990, USA 1994 and France 1998) and the Italian Gianluigi Buffon (France 1998, Korea-Japan 2002, Germany 2006, South Africa). 2010 and Brazil 2014).
Photo: Deport.
Most games at World Cups
So far, the PSG forward has made 19 appearances in international competition. That’s why he’s looking for the Argentines with the most appearances in the tournament: Javier Mascherano (20) and Diego Armando Maradona (21).
In the event that the Albiceleste reach the semi-finals and play all the stakes, Rosario will equal the absolute record that Matthäus still holds, who took part in 25 duels with the German jersey.
Most games won at World Championships
In his adventure in the competition, Messi has racked up 12 wins wearing the light blue and white jersey. If the line-up led by Lionel Scaloni qualifies for the semi-finals with five consecutive wins, the striker will equal the record held by Germany’s Miroslav Klose, who won 17 games.
Photo: @PSG_espanol.
Most minutes played in World Championships
Leo is amassing 1,625 minutes at World Cups and if he wants to match Italy’s Paolo Maldini’s historic record of 2,217 minutes, he needs to play seven full games in Qatar in 2022. This way he will reach 2,255 minutes and he would not have to spend any extra time.
Argentine footballer with the most captains at World Cups
Messi wore the captain’s armband for Argentina in 12 World Cup games. In this scenario, the former Barcelona has another four games to catch up to Maradona, who has captained the team 16 times.
(Tomado de BolaVip)