Lionel Messi Becomes 3rd Footballer In The World To..

Published 17 June 2026 · sports

Lionel Messi Becomes 3rd Footballer In The World To... Published By, Last Updated: June 17, 2026, 06:17 IST The FIFA World Cup 2026 match between

Lionel Messi Becomes 3rd Footballer In The World To... Published By, Last Updated: June 17, 2026, 06:17 IST The FIFA World Cup 2026 match between Argentina and Algeria marks Messi’s 200th senior appearance for Argentina. He is the third player in history to reach 200 international caps. Lionel Messi becomes 3rd footballer to play 200 or more international matches. (Picture Credit: AP) Lionel Messi is playing his first match of the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2026 on Tuesday (Wednesday IST). The Group J match against Algeria, taking place at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, is Messi’s 200th international appearance for Argentina. The 38-year-old made his international debut for the three-time FIFA World Cup winners in 2005, and against Algeria, he is reaching the milestone of 200 international caps. Messi, who is Argentina’s all-time leading goal scorer in men’s football, is only the third player in history to play 200 or more international matches.

200 – In what is his 200th senior appearance for Argentina, Lionel Messi becomes the first ever man to play in six different editions of the FIFA World Cup.Icon. pic.twitter.com/L2KamlBZYA — OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 16, 2026 Bader Al-Mutawa of Kuwait was the first player to complete a double century of international appearances. He represented Kuwait in 202 matches from September 4, 2003, to June 14, 2022. Most capped players in international football RANK PLAYER COUNTRY MATCHES DEBUT GAME LATEST MATCH 1. Cristiano Ronaldo Portugal 228 August 20, 2003 June 10, 2026 2. Bader Al-Mutawa Kuwait 202 September 4, 2003 June 14, 2022 3. Lionel Messi Argentina 200* August 17, 2005 June 16, 2026* 4. Luka Modrić Croatia 198 March 1, 2006 June 7, 2026 5. Soh Chin Ann Malaysia 195 November 19, 1969 October 18, 1984 6. Ahmed Kano Oman 193 September 25, 2003 December 2, 2019 7. Hassan Al-Haydos Qatar 187 August 9, 2008 June 13, 2026 8.

Ahmed Hassan Egypt 184 December 29, 1995 May 22, 2012 =9. Andrés Guardado Mexico 180 December 14, 2005 October 15, 2024 =9. Sergio Ramos Spain 180 March 26, 2005 March 31, 2021 The record for the most international appearances is held by Cristiano Ronaldo, who has featured in 228 matches for Portugal so far and scored 143 goals. On the other hand, Messi has scored 117 goals for Argentina to date. Lionel Messi has added yet another milestone to his career by becoming the first player to feature in six editions of the FIFA World Cup. Lionel Messi is selected in Argentina’s starting XI against Algeria and will become the first player to appear in six different men’s FIFA World Cup tournaments.Cristiano Ronaldo could follow if he plays for Portugal tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/preJYwJV0V — Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) June 16, 2026 He made his World Cup debut in 2006 against Serbia and Montenegro and has since played at least one match in every tournament edition, a record no other player has achieved.