Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi don add another chapter to im legendary story. The man wey turn 39 on Wednesday, don lead Argentina to di 2026 World Cup final afta dem defeat England for semifinal. Dis one mean say Messi go play im third World Cup final for career – something wey only Brazilian legend Cafu don do before.
Messi bin start im professional career for Barcelona for 2003, and since den im don win 47 trophies. Dat na more dan two trophies per season for im 21-year senior career. Di list include di Leagues Cup wey im win wit Inter Miami within weeks of im debut for di MLS club.
Argentina now join Brazil as di only nations to reach consecutive World Cup finals for two different eras. Di first era na under Diego Maradona for Mexico 1986 and Italy 1990. Di second era na under Messi for Qatar 2022 and now United States, Canada, and Mexico 2026.
If Messi take field for di final, im go become only di second player for football history to appear for three World Cup finals. Di first na Cafu, wey play for USA 1994, France 1998, and Korea/Japan 2002. Messi bin play for 2014 final against Germany and captain Argentina to win di 2022 title for Qatar. Im lift di trophy once, while Cafu win two World Cups.
Should Messi no fit play di final, im go remain alongside Pelé, Ronaldo Nazário, Pierre Littbarski, and Lothar Matthäus – players wey reach two World Cup finals and be part of squad wey advance to a third, but no play for all three.
