For many, Messi is the greatest player of all time. But has he ever really won the World Cup? You will find the answer on GOAL.
The 2022 World Cup final will be played in Qatar on 18 December. A team can be crowned world champion and thus win the most coveted soccer trophy in the world.
Indeed, to be considered one of the greatest players of all time, you have to win this title with your country. Players like Pele, Ronaldinho or Maradona have succeeded. However, the list of players who are among the greats of world football but have never won the World Cup is long. These include names like Johan Cruyff, Michel Platini and Eusebio.
Is Lionel Messi one of them or has the Argentine already won a World Cup? In GOAL you will find the answer to this question.
Was Lionel Messi ever a world champion?
In 2006, Lionel Messi took part in a World Cup for the first time. Back then, Argentina lost to Germany in the quarterfinals as goalkeeper Jens Lehmann became the match winner.
In 2010 he failed again in the quarterfinals against Germany. Under manager Diego Maradona, it was a clear 4-0 defeat. Messi remained scoreless throughout the tournament.
Pulga has never been closer to World Cup success than at the 2014 World Cup. In the final in Rio, Mario Götze shattered Argentina’s dreams and Germany celebrated a 1-0 victory.
At the 2018 World Cup in Russia, the Argentine scored only one goal against Nigeria. This time they had to say goodbye to eventual world champions France in the round of 16. Messi scored two goals but was unable to prevent a 4-3 defeat.
So far, Messi hasn’t had the most success in a World Cup. After all, he managed to win the Copa America, i.e. the South American counterpart of the European Championship, in 2021. In addition to the 2008 Olympics, this success was also his first international title, won with Argentina. He had previously lost three Copa America finals and even briefly announced his international retirement in 2016.
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Lionel Messi: Will the 2022 World Cup be the last?
Even before the start of the World Cup in Qatar, Messi announced that this World Cup will definitely be his last. In 2026 he no longer wants to make his debut at the World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the USA.
So there remains one last attempt for the seven-time world footballer. He also admits that he feels a lot of pressure from expectations. By winning the World Cup, Messi would have crowned his already fabulous career. And everything is still possible for La Pulga and his companions.
Incidentally, if Messi makes it to the semifinals, he would also be the only record player in a World Cup. So far, Lothar Matthäus has held this title with 25 caps.
World Cup 2022: all of Lionel Messi’s titles
As a professional, Lionel Messi was previously active at FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain. The world award winning footballer was able to collect some titles with his clubs.
Where will Lionel Messi play next season?
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