Messi vs Maradona: Who has played more games in the World Cup?

Both are soccer and Argentina legends, not only because of their club’s accomplishments but their stats in World Cups.

The debate will probably remain eternal. Diego Maradona or Lionel Messi, who’s the greatest Argentinian player ever? Everyone will have their take, which may change depending on Messi’s record before he retires.

If La Pulga finally wins the World Cup in Qatar, many Argentina fans may end up having different opinions up, probably leaning towards the PSG forward, but even in that scenario, many others will still have Maradona as the country and probably soccer GOAT.

History says that El Pelusa is ahead of Messi when it comes to World Cup titles, as Diego won the trophy in 1986, but Messi widely overtakes Maradona in club titles.

Messi vs. Maradona: World Cup appearances

Even if Argentina don’t emerge victorious against France in the final, it seems clear that Messi will leave Qatar having made history yet again.

The former FC Barcelona player has played his fifth World Cup, tied to very few players that have had the chance of achieving this feat, like his archrival Cristiano Ronaldo.

Argentina’s No.10 has already overtaken his idol Maradona in the number of World Cup appearances wearing the Argentina jersey with a total of 25, while Diego played 21 games with La Albiceleste in the tournament.

El Messías has recorded 11 goals and eight assists in those games, while Maradona, who passed away in November 2020, scored eight goals and also gave eight assists in his World Cup appearances.

To make things even greater in his career, Messi will become the player with the most matches played in the World Cup when he features against Didier Deschamps’ team on Sunday, as it will be his 26th game, overtaking German great Lothar Matthäus (25), while another former member of Die Mannschaft, Miroslav Klose, sits in third position (24).