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
🇦🇷 ¡¡¡Argentina hoy no DUERME señores!!!
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) December 18, 2022
🌟 Llegó la tercera #FIFAWorldCup después de 36 años.
🐐 Gracias a #Messi, Lionel Scaloni, Ángel Di María y compañía 👏
Dale 🔁 para felicitar al campeón 😎#MundialTelemundo #ElMundialLoEsTodo #FRAvsARG pic.twitter.com/M6PWWP2SVz