LIONEL MESSI has broken another record just by stepping on to the pitch.
As he took the field against Saudi Arabia, the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner became the first Argentine ever to participate in five World Cups.
Lionel Messi has become the first Argentine to play in five World Cups
In doing so, Messi overtook his main rival for the mantle of “greatest Argentine player”, Diego Maradona, who participated in four tournaments.
And he made the best possible start to the tournament by slotting home an early penalty to give his side the lead.
Even Brazil’s Pele, who lifted the Jules Rimet Trophy in 1958, 1962 and 1970, only appeared at four World Cups.
But one man who will also appear in five World Cups is Messi’s great rival Cristiano Ronaldo.
Both Messi and the Portugal captain made their World Cup debuts in 2006.
However, neither has yet been able to lift the famous trophy.
Messi gave Argentina an early lead against Saudi Arabi
Messi’s rival Cristiano Ronaldo is also appearing in his fifth World Cup
Of the two, Messi came closest when Argentina reached the final of the World Cup in Brazil in 2014, before an extra time Mario Gotze goal saw the trophy go to Germany.
The Argentines are among the favourites for this year’s World Cup and are currently on an unbeaten run stretching more than THREE YEARS.
Their last defeat came away to Brazil in July 2019, when they were beaten 2-0 in the Copa America semi-final.
Lionel Messi is appearing in his fifth World Cup, as is Cristiano Ronaldo
Ronaldo, meanwhile, has never got past the semi-final stage, which he reached in his first World Cup in 2006.
There, his Portugal team were beaten 1-0 by France in the last four after knocking out England on penalties in the quarters.
That match saw him cause uproar among Three Lions fans when he winked at the Portuguese bench after Wayne Rooney was controversially sent off.
