28s ago 20.47 EDT A selection of Messi stats for you to digest at as the veteran begins his valedictory World Cup . 26 – record number of World Cup matches played 6 – record World Cups appeared in (shared with Cristiano Ronaldo) 13 – World Cup goals (joint fifth all-time) 38 – age at kick-off (12th oldest at the 2026 World Cup) 2 – record number of World Cup golden balls Lionel Messi Share Updated at 20.48 EDT