​Lionel Messi Real Estate GettyATLANTA, GEORGIA – JULY 07: Lionel Messi #10 of Argentina celebrates after the 3-2 victory during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between Argentina and Egypt at Atlanta Stadium on July 07, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images) GettyLionel Messi’s Barcelona shirt GettyLionel Messi has already played enough important matches to fill several careers.Sunday’s meeting with Spain offers Messi another opportunity to add to his list of accolades.Argentina will attempt to defend its World Cup title at 3 p.m. Eastern at New York New Jersey Stadium, where Messi can become a world champion for the second time.The 39-year-old enters the final with eight goals and four assists during the 2026 tournament, including two late assists in Argentina’s semifinal comeback against England.Another trophy would give Argentina the first back-to-back World Cup championships since Brazil won in 1958 and 1962.These 10 stats/numbers show what Messi has already accomplished before one more chance to extend the list.Messi Has Rewritten World Cup Record BookGettyATLANTA, GEORGIA – JULY 07: Lionel Messi #10 of Argentina celebrates after the 3-2 victory during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between Argentina and Egypt at Atlanta Stadium on July 07, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)Messi’s longevity has allowed him to accumulate records, and his 2026 run has pushed several of his World Cup totals even further beyond the previous standards.1. A record 33 World Cup appearancesMessi has played more World Cup matches than anyone in the tournament’s history. Sunday will increase his record to 34 appearances across six editions, beginning with his teenage debut in 2006.UEFA’s updated record book lists him first with 33 entering the final.2. A record 23 World Cup victoriesArgentina’s semifinal victory over England gave Messi his 23rd win on the World Cup stage. He had already surpassed the previous individual record of 17 during this tournament.3. Twenty-one World Cup goalsMessi enters the final with 21 career World Cup goals. Kylian Mbappé moved ahead of him with 22 by scoring twice in France’s third-place match Saturday, leaving Messi one goal from tying the record and two from reclaiming it outright.4. A record 12 World Cup assistsMessi supplied both Argentina goals in the 2-1 semifinal victory over England, increasing his career World Cup total to 12 assists.5. Goals in nine consecutive World Cup matchesMessi scored in a record nine consecutive World Cup appearances before Switzerland held him without a goal in the quarterfinals. The streak began against Australia during Argentina’s 2022 championship run and continued through the 2026 round of 16 against Egypt.6. Goals in every traditional stageMessi remains the only player to score in the group stage, round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals and final during a single World Cup, accomplishing the feat i