Soccer Players Who Have Played in Three World Cup Finals

bet365 News Team Updated: Jul 20 2026 17:05

Throughout the history of the FIFA World Cup, only two players have been a part of three World Cup Finals.

Reaching a World Cup final is a monumental achievement that few footballers ever experience. It is often a once-in-a-lifetime match that can define a career. To win it is a privilege that cements a player's place in sporting history. But to compete in the final not just once, but three times, is the stuff of football legend.

Throughout the history of the World Cup, only two players have accomplished this remarkable feat: Brazi's Cafu and most recently Argentina's superstar Lionel Messi.

Cafu: Brazil's Icon

The first member of this exclusive club is Brazilian legend Cafu.

1994 - United States

At the 1994 World Cup in the United States, a 17-year-old Ronaldo was part of the squad but did not feature in the final at the Rose Bowl in Los Angeles. Cafu, however, came on as a substitute for Jorginho. The Final against Italy was famous for stars like Roberto Baggio and Paolo Maldini, but ended 0-0 after extra time. Brazil ultimately lifted the trophy after winning the dramatic penalty shootout.

1998 - France

Four years later, at the 1998 France World Cup, Cafu was a key starter in the final against the host nation. However, Brazil were unable to overcome a formidable French team led by Zinedine Zidane, who scored twice in a decisive 3-0 victory for France at the Stade de France.

2002 - Korea & Japan

Cafu's journey culminated at the 2002 World Cup in Korea and Japan, where Brazil faced Germany in the final. With Cafu as captain, Brazil were crowned world champions for a fifth time. Ronaldo was the hero of the match, scoring both goals in a 2-0 win to seal their place in history.

Lionel Messi: The Undisputed GOAT

The final and most recent addition to this club will be Lionel Messi.

2014 - Brazil

Lionel Messi led Argentina to to their first World Cup Finals appearance since Diego Maradona was the leader of the team in 1990.

Messi's team would lose to Germany 1-0 after the final went to extra time, but Messi scored four goals and provided an assist in his seven matches to win the Golden Ball.

2022 - Qatar

The Argentines would defeated Australia, Netherlands, and Croatia in the knockout stages to reach the final against defending champions France, where the two teams would play one of the most memorable World Cup matches of all-time.

Argentina got out to an early 2-0 lead in the match with goals from Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria, but Kylian Mbappe scored two goals in quick succession to tie the match, bring on extra time. Messi and Mbappe would both score in extra time, tying the game at three and heading to a penalty shootout.

Argentina won the penalty shootout 4-2, thanks to heroics from goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, and concluding one of the greatest World Cup games of all-time.

Lionel Messi scored the second most goals in the 2022 tournament (7), one behind Mbappe (8), and won the Golden Ball for the second time.

2026 - USA, Canada & Mexico

After a perfect group stage with three wins, their path through the knockout rounds has been filled with difficulty. Argentina were pushed to extra time against Cape Verde, trailed by two goals against Egypt with 10 minutes to play, and were sent to extra time again by Switzerland.

In the semifinals against England, Argentina were again trailing in the 85th minute, but late goals from Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez (both assisted by Lionel Messi) turned the game upside down, and secured Argentina a fourth consecutive hard fought victory, and third come-from-behind win in four games.

On the way to the final, Lionel Messi became the second highest scorer in the history of the tournament with 21 goals, and is the all-time leader in assists in World Cup history with 12.