Lionel Messi

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Lionel Messi has played in more World Cup games in total (19) than any other active player, leading his old foe Ronaldo by two games. It remains to be seen how the 2022 tournament will pan out, but all Messi needs to do is outlast Ronaldo and steer clear of injury to emerge from Qatar with that record intact. Bryson Green Jersey

Sergio Ramos is joint-second alongside Ronaldo on the list of active players (17 games) but, having not been selected by Spain, is unlikely to add to his tally before the end of his career.

Germany duo Thomas Muller and Manuel Neuer are just behind with 16 games each, and theoretically could overtake Messi in 2022 should Die Mannschaft make good progress through the knockout phase while some disastrous fate befalls Argentina. The same goes for veteran Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera. John Paul Richardson Jersey

Diego Maradona set the Argentina national-team record for World Cup appearances with 21 games, meaning that Messi is more than likely to surpass his idol during the course of the 2022 tournament.

If Argentina reach the final with Messi playing in all seven matches, he would surpass ex-Germany midfielder Lothar Matthaus' all-time record of 25 World Cup appearances. Mason Cobb Jersey

While Messi has scored six goals in World Cup matches, he has never found the net in a match beyond the group stage. However, his four assists in knockout phase games is a World Cup record he jointly holds with Pele since the 1966 tournament (which is as far back as reliable data extends).