While another title would make Argentina the first team since Brazil in 1962 to successfully defend the World Cup crown, Lionel Messi is also in line to break several records in the finale against Spain
Published: July 19, 2026, 2:41 PM IST
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Lionel Messi of Argentina reacts before the semifinal match between Argentina and England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Atlanta Stadium in Atlanta, the United States, July 15, 2026. (Xinhua via IANS)
Lionel Messi will have another chance to add to his incredible legacy when Argentina take on Spain in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final at the MetLife Stadium on Sunday. The Argentine captain has already rewritten several World Cup records during the tournament, but one more memorable performance could see him achieve even more milestones in what is expected to be the final World Cup match of his career.
Messi enters the final with eight goals and four assists in the tournament. However, he is no longer leading the Golden Boot race after France captain Kylian Mbappe moved ahead with 10 goals following his hat-trick in the third-place playoff against England.
That means Messi will need to score at least three goals against Spain to finish as the tournament’s top scorer. A hat-trick would also further extend his record as the highest scorer in World Cup history and strengthen his remarkable legacy on football’s biggest stage.
