When Lionel Messi takes the field at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey for Argentina’s Cup final against Spain, he will become only the second player in history to play in a World Cup final, joining Brazil’s Cafu in a special club that has been untouched for more than two decades.The distinction is important. Pelé, Matthäus and Ronaldo have all appeared in the last three World Cups, but each of them has been an unused substitute in one of those three finals. Pelé was on the bench for Brazil’s 1966 defeat to England. Matthäus came on as an unused substitute in Germany’s 1986 final defeat to Argentina. Ronaldo was notable for not starting the final in 1998 against France, appearing as a starter after a late recovery and a row on the touchline after a tackle, although he did not work. None of the three participated as active players.Coffee did. The Brazilian full-back played every minute of the 1994, 1998 and 2002 World Cup finals, lifting the trophy in 1994 and 2002, and finishing as a runner-up in 1998. He remains the gold standard for World Cup final appearances.Messi’s last three games tell their own remarkable story. In 2014, he played every minute of Argentina’s long-overdue loss to Germany in Brazil, winning the Ballon d’Or as the tournament’s best player despite losing in the final. In 2022, he had one of the best performances in the history of the final, scoring twice, including a stunning volley, before converting the final decision in the shootout against France.Now comes 2026. Third final. Struggle with Spain. At 39 years old.Cafu was 32 when he played in the third final in 2002 and lifted the trophy. Messi is 39 years old and chasing the same end. If Argentina win on Sunday, Messi will not be able to match Cafu’s record of playing in the last three games. They will have won in clear fashion with two World Cup winners’ medals instead of one.
