In Focus: Messi set to complete record-breaking World Cup journey

Lionel Messi equalled the all-time World Cup appearance record when starring in Argentina’s 3-0 semi-final victory over Croatia.

The little magician now sits level with Lothar Matthaus on 25 appearances at football’s biggest tournament and will overtake the German when he features in Sunday’s final with France.

Ahead of that showdown, we take a look back at the 35-year-old’s World Cup exploits.

Germany 2006

Just a wide-eyed 18-year-old, Messi watched Argentina’s first game of the 2006 World Cup from the bench before being handed a cameo against Serbia and Montenegro.

In what was a sign of things to come, he assisted his side’s fourth goal and even had time to round off a 6-0 rout by netting the final strike himself.

That saw then coach Jose Pekerman hand Messi a start in the final group game against the Netherlands, a 0-0 draw, before returning to the bench for the last-16 clash with Mexico. 

He played 36 minutes in that tense extra-time triumph but remained an unused substitute during a quarter-final penalty defeat to the host nation — a decision for which Pekerman received huge criticism after the tournament.

South Africa 2010

Four years later, Messi was established as a global superstar but was tasked with spearheading a sub-standard La Albiceleste crop coached by the legendary Diego Maradona.

They did at least cruise through their group, beating Nigeria 1-0, South Korea 4-1 and Greece 2-0 — a game where Messi captained his nation for the first time in his career.

Reports at the time suggested he refused to be benched for that final group clash and, having helped his side past a stubborn Mexico in the first knockout round, Germany once again proved their undoing.

Joachim Low’s men romped to a 4-0 success with Messi facing criticism from supporters in his homeland having failed to score in any of his five games in South Africa.

Brazil 2014

Now close to the peak of his powers, much was expected of Messi and Argentina in a World Cup being played on South American soil.

Thriving under the tutelage of Alejandro Sabella, who had given the talismanic forward the captain’s armband on a permanent basis since taking charge, Messi was truly irrepressible in Brazil. 

Almost single-handedly leading his nation to the final, he netted against Bosnia, Iran and twice against Nigeria in the group stage, before assisting the winner against Switzerland and running the show against Belgium.

He scored his penalty in the semi-final shootout win over the Netherlands and, while Germany again spoiled Messi's party in a tense final, Argentina's No10 was lauded for his marvellous performances and was given the tournament’s Golden Ball for his efforts.

Russia 2018

Messi was again tasked with leading an underwhelming collection of players to glory in Russia but was powerless to resist eventual winners France in the first knockout round.

As usual, the Barcelona star did his best to cover his nation’s flaws, guiding them out of the group stage with a goal against Nigeria that made him the first player to score World Cup goals in his teens, 20s and 30s.

He even managed two assists in the hugely entertaining 4-3 defeat to Les Bleus, where a young Kylian Mbappe stole the show with a breathtaking brace and an assist of his own.

After the tournament, former Argentine international Ossie Ardiles said: "The squad is the worst in their history. Even having the best player in the world, they were not capable of creating a competitive team.

"All the decline of recent times was hidden by this unrivalled genius."

Qatar 2022

Four years on, Messi has returned for what is surely his final tilt at World Cup glory — and he appears to have saved the best until last. 

Despite coming into the tournament with questions over his club form, the superstar has dazzled in Qatar with five goals and three assists in six scintillating appearances.

Even when Argentina were stunned in their first game by Saudi Arabia, Messi led the calls for calm and has led by example with mesmeric individual performances propping up a far-from-perfect supporting cast.

Should he manage to finally lift the famous golden trophy on Sunday evening, there would be no greater way to bring the curtain down on one of the all-time great international careers.