After starting the 2022 Qatar final between his team and France, Argentina’s captain Lionel Messi on Sunday evening broke another World Cup record.
Recall that Messi participated in his 1,000th competitive match in Qatar’s knockout rounds.
The 35-year-old broke Lothar Matthaus’ previous record for the most World Cup games played by a male player when he made his 26th appearance in the championship match versus France at the Lusail Stadium.
The late Diego Maradona’s Argentina record, which stood earlier in the campaign, was tied and surpassed by the Paris Saint-Germain attacker.
The former captain of Barcelona also surpassed Rafa Marquez to hold the record for most World Cup appearances while serving as captain.
His long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo has played four fewer World Cup games than him.
