Lionel Messi marks 200th international appearance at 2026 World Cup

On June 16, 2026, Lionel Messi reached the milestone of 200 appearances for the Argentine national team during their opening World Cup match against Algeria. In this fixture, the 38-year-old forward scored a hat-trick, bringing his total tally for the national team to 120 goals and 61 assists. This tournament marks his sixth World Cup participation, making him the first player to achieve this feat in history. Messi had recently recovered from a thigh injury sustained while playing for Inter Miami in the MLS. Prior to the tournament, he demonstrated his fitness by scoring in a 3-0 friendly win against Iceland on June 9. Throughout his career, Messi has secured multiple titles, including the 2022 World Cup and the 2021 and 2024 Copa America championships. Although reports vary slightly on his exact age at 38 or 39, his participation cements his legacy in international football.