Skip navigation
Favorites
Sign up to follow your favorites on all your devices.
Sign up
NBCSports Header Logo

Lionel Messi career awards as Argentine adds World Cup Trophy to list

Lionel Messi has finally added a World Cup Trophy to his glittering case of hardware following Argentina’s win over France in penalties following a six-goal thriller at the 2022 World Cup Final in Qatar.

There was controversy along the way, with soft penalties given to both teams over the course of a 3-3 game that saw Argentina lead 2-0 and 3-2 as the reigning champions France fought to the bitter end but. came up just short of defending their crown.

Argentina won the title and it’s an amazing achievement; A third World Cup title and first in 36 years is a sensational accomplishment, especially just over two years since national icon Diego Maradona passed away at 60.

[ LIVE: World Cup 2022 schedule, scores, recaps, hub ]

It’s because of that that Messi is the story of this, as a man who broke nearly every record within reason and even some that seemed irrational but still lived in the shadow of Maradona -- despite El Pibe‘s objections at times. His home nation both celebrated and piled pressure on “The Atomic Ant” for years because he left Argentina for Barcelona at a young age and did not collect trophies for the national team

Now he has a World Cup to go with his Copa America and near-countless honors. Here’s a list of some of World Cup champion Lionel Messi’s most notable honors.

Lionel Messi’s most notable career honors from a glittering two decades

World Cup champion: Argentina, 2022

Copa America champion: Argentina, 2021

Olympic champion: Argentina, 2008

Most goals for Argentina: 98

Most caps for Argentina: 172

World Cup Golden Ball: Argentina, 2014, 2022

Copa America Best Player: Argentina, 2015, 2021

World’s Best Men’s Player of the Decade: 2011-2020

Youngest player to score in a World Cup match

Most World Cup Man of the Match Awards: 11

Most World Cup appearances as captain: 19

Most Ballons d’Or In history: 7 (2021, 2019, 2015, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009)

Most World Cup Player of the Match awards: 10 (2010, 2014, 2018, 2022)

European Golden Shoe winner: 6 (2010, 2012, 2013, 2017, 2018, 2019)

10x La Liga winner: Barcelona

4x UEFA Champions League winner: Barcelona

1x Ligue 1 winner: Paris Saint-Germain

Second-most Champions League goals: 129

Most goals in La Liga history: 474

15-consecutive FIFA World Best XI awards: 2007-2021

Career goals, club: 695

Career assists, club: 332

Career goals, country: 98

Career assists, club: 55

Follow @NicholasMendola