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By Shittu Daniela
For decades, football fans have passionately debated one question: who is the greatest player of all time?
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From the brilliance of Pelé and the genius of Diego Maradona to the extraordinary achievements of Cristiano Ronaldo, every generation has produced icons worthy of consideration.
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Yet, as the 2026 FIFA World Cup unfolds, one player continues to separate himself from the rest. That player is Lionel Messi.
At 38 years old, Messi is not merely participating in another World Cup. He is dominating it, breaking records, inspiring Argentina, and strengthening the argument that he is the greatest footballer the sport has ever produced.
A Career Defined by Complete Success
One of the strongest arguments in Messi’s favour is that he has conquered every level of football.
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He has won the FIFA World Cup, Copa América titles, UEFA Champions League trophies, domestic league championships, domestic cups, and countless individual awards.
Unlike many great players whose success was limited to either club football or international football, Messi has excelled in both arenas.
More importantly, he has often been the driving force behind those achievements.
Whether scoring goals, creating chances, controlling matches, or producing moments of magic under pressure, Messi has consistently carried the weight of expectation for more than two decades.
Rewriting History at the 2026 FIFA World Cup
The ongoing tournament has become another masterpiece in Messi’s remarkable career.
He became the first player in football history to appear in six FIFA World Cups, participating in the tournaments of 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, and 2026.
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That achievement alone highlights his extraordinary longevity.
But Messi did not stop there. During Argentina’s group-stage clash against Austria, he surpassed Miroslav Klose to become the all-time leading scorer in men’s FIFA World Cup history.
Moments later, he extended the record to 18 World Cup goals, moving clear at the top of the all-time scoring charts.
The Argentine legend is also the leading scorer at the 2026 World Cup with five goals.
Even more remarkable is the fact that he has now scored in six consecutive World Cup matches, a feat that highlights his consistency on football’s biggest stage.
World Cup Records That Define Greatness
Messi’s World Cup résumé is now unmatched.
His records include:
- First player to appear in six FIFA World Cups.
- All-time leading scorer in men’s FIFA World Cup history.
- Most World Cup appearances by any player.
- Most World Cup goal contributions (goals and assists combined).
- Most World Cup matches as captain.
- Six consecutive World Cup matches with a goal.
- Oldest player to score a World Cup hat-trick.
- Only player to win the World Cup Golden Ball twice.
- Only player to score in every knockout stage of a single World Cup campaign, including the final.
These records reflect not just talent, but consistency across two decades of elite football.
The GOAT Debate Nears Its Conclusion
Football fans will always have their personal favourites. Different generations will continue to celebrate different legends.
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However, Messi’s combination of trophies, records, longevity, influence, and sustained excellence has created a case that is increasingly difficult to challenge.
Lionel Messi’s career represents the perfect blend of talent, longevity, leadership, and achievement.
From his first World Cup appearance in 2006 to his record-breaking exploits in 2026, he has consistently delivered at the highest level.
The GOAT debate may never disappear entirely. But as the 2026 FIFA World Cup continues, one conclusion is becoming harder and harder to avoid: Football may never see another player quite like Lionel Messi.
