FIFA WC 2026: Lionel Messi joins Cafa as only players to take the field in three World Cup finals | Football News
When Lionel Messi takes the field at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey for Argentina’s World Cup final against Spain, he will become only the second player in history to actually play in three World Cup finals, joining legendary Brazilian right-back Cafu in an exclusive club untouched for more than two decades.The difference is important. Pelé, Matthäus and Ronaldo all appeared in three World Cup final squads, but each of them was an unused substitute in one of the three finals. Pelé was on the bench for Brazil’s 1966 defeat to England. Matthäus was an unused substitute in Germany’s 1986 final defeat to Argentina. Ronaldo famously did not start in the 1998 final against France, appearing only as a starter after a late and controversial restoration of the lineup following a reported seizure, although he was largely ineffective. None of them took the field in all three as active, participating players.Cafu did it. The Brazilian right back played every minute of the 1994, 1998 and 2002 World Cup finals, lifted the trophy in 1994 and 2002, and finished as a runner-up in 1998. He remains the gold standard in World Cup finals.Messi’s three finals tell their own unique story. In 2014, he played every minute of Argentina’s heartbreaking extra-time loss to Germany in Brazil, winning the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player despite missing out on the final. In 2022, he delivered one of the greatest individual performances in the final’s history, scoring twice, including a stunning volley, before converting the decisive penalty in the shootout against France.Now comes 2026. Third final. Against Spain. At 39 years old.Cafu was 32 when he played in his third final in 2002 and lifted the trophy. Messi is 39 and chasing the same end. If Argentina wins on Sunday, Messi will not match Cafu’s record of playing in three finals. He will top it off in the most meaningful way possible with two World Cup winners medals instead of one.
Post Comment