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Last Updated:June 17, 2026, 06:16 IST
The FIFA World Cup 2026 match between Argentina and Algeria marks Messi’s 200th senior appearance for Argentina. He is the third player in history to reach 200 international caps.
Lionel Messi becomes 3rd footballer to play 200 or more international matches. (Picture Credit: AP)
Lionel Messi is playing his first match of the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2026 on Tuesday (Wednesday IST). The Group J match against Algeria, taking place at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, is Messi’s 200th international appearance for Argentina. The 38-year-old made his international debut for the three-time FIFA World Cup winners in 2005, and against Algeria, he is reaching the milestone of 200 international caps.
Messi, who is Argentina’s all-time leading goal scorer in men’s football, is only the third player in history to play 200 or more international matches.
200 – In what is his 200th senior appearance for Argentina, Lionel Messi becomes the first ever man to play in six different editions of the FIFA World Cup.Icon. pic.twitter.com/L2KamlBZYA
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 16, 2026
Bader Al-Mutawa of Kuwait was the first player to complete a double century of international appearances. He represented Kuwait in 202 matches from September 4, 2003, to June 14, 2022.
Most capped players in international football
| 1 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Portugal | UEFA | 228 | August 20, 2003 | June 10, 2026 |
| 2 | Bader Al-Mutawa | Kuwait | AFC | 202 | September 4, 2003 | June 14, 2022 |
| 3 | Lionel Messi | Argentina | CONMEBOL | 200* | August 17, 2005 | June 16, 2026* |
| 4 | Luka Modrić | Croatia | UEFA | 198 | March 1, 2006 | June 7, 2026 |
| 5 | Soh Chin Ann[a] | Malaysia | AFC | 195 | November 19, 1969 | October 18, 1984 |
| 6 | Ahmed Kano | Oman | AFC | 193 | September 25, 2003 | December 2, 2019 |
| 7 | Hassan Al-Haydos | Qatar | AFC | 187 | August 9, 2008 | June 13, 2026 |
| 8 | Ahmed Hassan | Egypt | CAF | 184 | December 29, 1995 | May 22, 2012 |
| 9 | Andrés Guardado | Mexico | CONCACAF | 180 | December 14, 2005 | October 15, 2024 |
| Sergio Ramos | Spain | UEFA | 180 | March 26, 2005 | March 31, 2021 |
The record for the most international appearances is held by Cristiano Ronaldo, who has featured in 228 matches for Portugal so far and scored 143 goals. On the other hand, Messi has scored 117 goals for Argentina to date.
Lionel Messi has added yet another milestone to his career by becoming the first player to feature in six editions of the FIFA World Cup.
Lionel Messi is selected in Argentina’s starting XI against Algeria and will become the first player to appear in six different men’s FIFA World Cup tournaments.Cristiano Ronaldo could follow if he plays for Portugal tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/preJYwJV0V
— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) June 16, 2026
He made his World Cup debut in 2006 against Serbia and Montenegro and has since played at least one match in every tournament edition, a record no other player has achieved.
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Harshit BishtSenior Sub-editor
Harshit Bisht is a sports journalist with CNN-News18 since July 1, 2024, and covers cricket with a sharp eye for records, trends, and match analysis. Based in Noida, he has reported extensively on the...Read More
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