Sports Desk. – Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are on the verge of writing an unprecedented page in the history of the World Cups. Just days away from the start of the 2026 World Cup, both global soccer stars are preparing to join an even more exclusive group: that of players with six World Cup appearances.
The two icons are already part of the select club of players who have competed in five editions of the World Cup, a historic list that began more than six decades ago with the legendary Mexican goalkeeper Antonio Carbajal, who defended Mexico’s goal between Brazil 1950 and England 1966.
Decades later, the German Lothar Matthäus equaled the mark in France 1998, also setting a record of 25 matches played in World Cups.
The historic Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon later joined the group after attending five tournaments between 1998 and 2014, a period in which he won the world title with Italy in 2006.
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Mexico once again left its mark on this privileged list with Rafael Márquez, in addition to goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa and midfielder Andrés Guardado, who reached the figure of five participations in Qatar 2022.
In that same World Cup, Messi and Cristiano consolidated two legendary careers by playing in their fifth World Cup, something that for years seemed like an impossible frontier for modern football.
Now, the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, could make them the first players to reach six World Cup appearances.
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At their respective ages, both Messi and Cristiano continue to be important pieces for their national teams, defying the passage of time with discipline, performance, and leadership.
Cristiano Ronaldo will arrive at the tournament with 22 World Cup matches, eight goals, and two assists in his record. For his part, Lionel Messi will face the event as the reigning world champion and the player with the most matches played in the history of the tournament, with 26 appearances, 13 goals, and eight assists.
Meanwhile, Guillermo Ochoa also aspires to enter the great history of world football with a sixth participation defending the Mexican goal.
The 2026 World Cup will not only mark a new edition of the most important tournament on the planet, but also the possible World Cup farewell of an unrepeatable generation.
