Lionel Messi made history in Kansas City on the World Cup opener, starting for Argentina against Algeria and becoming the first footballer to appear at six World Cups. At 38 years old, he is doing it in a tournament that would make him 39 before it is over.
The milestone gives the match its weight beyond Argentina’s first game as title defender. Messi first reached the World Cup stage in 2006 against Serbien-Montenegro in Gelsenkirchen, and he marked that debut with a goal at 18 years old. Two decades later, he has stretched his tournament career across an era few players ever reach, let alone surpass.
That is why the record stands alone even though Guillermo Ochoa also has six World Cup tournaments on his record. Ochoa was only on the bench for Mexico’s 2:0 opening match against South Africa, which leaves Messi as the only player to actually take the field at six editions. The difference matters because it is appearances, not squad places, that now define the record.
There is still one more line that could catch the headlines. Cristiano Ronaldo could equal Messi’s mark if he plays for Portugal against DR Kongo on Wednesday at 19.00. For now, though, Messi has the number to himself, and the game in Kansas City has already given him another place in World Cup history.
