Lionel Messi will become only the second player in history to play in three World Cup finals this evening.
It has been 12 years since Messi first played in a World Cup final.
The Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro was the venue for the 2014 World Cup final when Argentina took on Germany.
Messi was named as the player of the tournament but he did not have the desired impact on the final as an extra-time winner from Mario Gotze broke Argentinian hearts.
Argentina reached the final in Qatar eight years later and many thought it was Messi's last chance to lift the World Cup.
Messi played a starring role in an all-time classic against France in the final as he scored twice.
The two teams drew 3-3 after extra-time and Messi became a World Cup winner for the first time as Argentina won on penalties.
Remarkably, the 2026 World Cup has provided 39-year-old with another opportunity for glory.
He will lead his country out in a World Cup final for the third time tonight and he joins an exclusive club that only had one other member prior to this evening.
Brazilian legend Cafu is the only other player to play in three World Cup finals.
Cafu came on as a late substitute in the 1994 World Cup final where Brazil beat Italy on penalties after a goalless draw.
He was on the losing side in 1998 as host nation France beat Brazil 3-0 in Paris, but he captained his country four years later as Brazil became world champions for the fifth time after beating Germany 2-0 in the 2002 final.
Players to have played in three World Cup finals
- Cafu - Brazil (1994, 1998, 2002)
- Lionel Messi - Argentina (2014, 2022, 2026)
