Who has played in the most World Cups?

For many players, just getting the opportunity to play in one World Cup is the ultimate dream.

Given that they only come around once every four years, it means a player has to be at the peak of their powers for close to a decade if they are to participate in multiple editions of the tournament.

Yet there are a select few who have managed to defy the odds and play in four or more World Cups, including Lionel Messi. The Sporting News looks at the players who have played in the most World Cups, and which players are set to join a select few at the 2022 finals in Qatar.

Who played in most World Cups?

Six players have appeared in five different World Cup squads, five of which have played in all five tournaments. Legendary German midfielder Lothar Matthaus played in World Cups from 1982-1998, which included winning the 1990 edition.

Mexico’s Rafael Marquez and Antonio Carbajal also played in five successive World Cups, though they were many years apart from each other. Andres Guardado joined his compatriots on that list when he started El Tri’s match against Argentina in Qatar.

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo each made it five World Cup finals appearances each at Qatar 2022. Ronaldo became the first man to score in five different tournaments when he struck a penalty against Ghana.

Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has also been to five tournaments, though he has only played in four of those, going unused in 1998.

Players who have appeared at five World Cups

Player	Country	In Squad	Played in	Tournaments
Antonio Carbajal	Mexico	5	5	1950, 1954, 1958, 1962, 1966
Rafael Marquez	Mexico	5	5	2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018
Andres Guardado	Mexico	5	5	2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022
Lothar Matthaus	Germany	5	5	1982, 1986, 1990, 1994, 1998
Lionel Messi	Argentina	5	5	2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022
Cristiano Ronaldo	Portugal	5	5	2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022
Gianluigi Buffon	Italy	5	4	1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014

How many World Cups has Lionel Messi played?

Lionel Messi has played in five World Cups for Argentina, beginning with his first in 2006 as a 19-year-old, where he became the youngest Argentinian to play and score at the tournament.

He also led his country to the 2014 World Cup final in Brazil, where they lost 1-0 in extra time to Germany in heartbreaking fashion. Messi was named player of the tournament despite Mario Gotze’s goal denying them the trophy.

The 2022 World Cup sees Messi join the small group of players to have played in five World Cups.

With Argentina being tipped by many to win the finals in Qatar, many view it as Messi’s best and last chance to win the ultimate footballing prize.