Lionel Messi, 39 years old, played in his third World Cup final in 2026, joining Brazil’s Cafú in a club with only two members. Argentina lost 1-0 to Spain after extra time, with Ferran Torres scoring the decisive goal, denying the country a chance to win consecutive titles for the first time since 1986. Messi remains the only player to have started all three finals, whereas Cafú came off the bench in the 1994 final. His three finals span twelve years: 2014 (loss to Germany), 2022 (win against France on penalties), and 2026. Spain, the reigning European champions, confirmed their status as the dominant force in international football.
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