News, goals, and analysis – only on the official A BOLA app. World Cup The 2026 World Cup will be remembered as Lionel Messi’s World Cup, regardless of the outcome of tomorrow’s final between Spain and Argentina. Never has a 39-year-old player been so decisive for a national team on the biggest stage of world football. The numbers prove it. Messi will become, this Sunday, the oldest outfield player ever to play in a final – and considering all positions, he will only be behind Dino Zoff, who defended Italy’s goal at 40 years, 4 months, and 13 days in 1982. Consequently, if he scores, he will become the oldest player ever to do so in a final – the current record belongs to Swedish player Nils Liedholm, who scored at 35 years, 8 months, and 21 days in 1958 during the loss to Brazil. But these are far from the only records that the Argentine captain will take home after choosing a spectacular tango for his final dance that left the world in awe. With eight goals in this final phase, Messi has become the all-time top scorer in World Cups, as you can see in the gallery below: He has also entered the list of the oldest scorers ever, just shy of the podium, behind two Portuguese players: Messi has also broken the record for most matches in final phases, with Cristiano Ronaldo right behind: And he has even made it into the top 30 oldest players ever: The Inter Miami forward has also set the record for assists in final phases – 12, leaving behind Maradona, who has 8. And tomorrow he could match or even surpass the goal involvement record in a single final phase: German Gerd Muller achieved 13 in 1970 (10 goals and 3 assists), while the Argentine stands at 12 (8G/4A). Related Articles:
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