We've taken a look at the players to have made the most appearances at the World Cup finals between 1990 and 2022.
The World Cup has showcased some of the greatest players ever to have graced the pitch over the years, and lifting the trophy is regarded as the highest honour in the sport.
With the tournament held just once every four years, appearing at multiple finals is a testament to not just talent but consistency, and the players to feature on the list of top World Cup appearance makers possess both in spades.
Between 1990 and 2022, no player featured more times at the World Cup finals than Lionel Messi.
The Argentine made his World Cup debut as a substitute against Serbia-Montenegro in Germany in 2006 at the tender age of 18.
Messi made an immediate impact on the world stage, registering a goal and an assist during his 16-minute cameo to help Argentina seal a 6-0 win.
While he would ultimately remain on the bench as Argentina were knocked about by the hosts Germany in the quarter finals, Messi would start every subsequent World Cup match Argentina featured in between 2010 and 2022, including their dramatic win over France in the final in Qatar.
In all, Messi made 26 appearances at the World Cup between 2006 and 2022, enough to earn him top spot on our list.
But who joins the Inter Miami star in the top ten? Read on to find out.
Most World Cup apps (1990-2022)
- 10. Manuel Neuer
- 9. Hugo Lloris
- 8. Cafu
- 7. Bastian Schweinsteiger
- 6. Javier Mascherano
- 5. Philipp Lahm
- 4. Cristiano Ronaldo
- 3. Paolo Maldini
- 2. Miroslav Klose
- 1. Lionel Messi
