On his way to clinching the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Argentina legend Lionel Messi also became the most-capped player ever at the international tournament.

In his fifth World Cup, Messi played in all seven of Argentina's matches and would bring up career game 26 in his nation's title-winning final victory over France.

That tally saw Messi become the standalone leader for most games by a player at the World Cup, surpassing German great and 1990 winner Lothar Matthรคus, who held the record from 1998.

Matthรคus is accompanied in the top three by fellow countryman Miroslav Klose, who played 24 games across only four World Cups one less than both Messi and Matthรคus.

Italian defender Paolo Maldini ranks fourth on the all-time list with 23 appearances, with the AC Milan legend having the most games at the World Cup without winning the event, having retired following the Gli Azzurri's 2002 run, with Italy going on to win the next tournament held in Germany.

Portuguese sensation Cristiano Ronaldo rounds out the top five with 22 appearances from five World Cups, and like Messi could add to his tally if selected for the 2026 World Cup in North America.

Three players are tied in sixth with 21 appearances, while a further six have managed at least 20 matches at the World Cup.

Players with the most FIFA World Cup matches ever

1st. Lionel Messi (Argentina)ย  - 26 matches from 5 World Cups

2nd. Lothar Matthรคus (Germany) - 25 matches from 5 World Cups

3rd. Miroslav Klose (Germany) - 24 matches from 4 World Cups

4th. Paolo Maldini (Italy) - 23 matches from 4 World Cups

5th. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) - 22 matches from 5 World Cups

=6th. Diego Maradona (Argentina) - 21 matches from 4 World Cups

=6th. Uwe Seeler (Germany) - 21 matches from 4 World Cups

=6th. Wล‚adysล‚aw ลปmuda (Poland) - 21 matches from 4 World Cups

=9th. Cafu (Brazil) - 20 matches from 4 World Cups

=9th. Philipp Lahm (Germany) - 20 matches from 3 World Cups

=9th. Grzegorz Lato (Poland) - 20 matches from 3 World Cups

=9th. Hugo Lloris (France) - 20 matches from 4 World Cups

=9th. Javier Mascherano (Argentina) - 20 matches from 4 World Cups

=9th. Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany) - 20 matches from 3 World Cups