Argentina captain Lionel Messi is on the verge of matching a rare football milestone currently held only by Brazilian legend Ronaldo Nazário when the reigning champions face Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final on Sunday.
A victory for Argentina would hand Messi his second FIFA World Cup title, having won his first in Qatar in 2022, and make him only the second player in football history to win at least two FIFA World Cups and two Ballon d’Or awards.
Ronaldo remains the only footballer to have achieved the feat, winning the World Cup with Brazil in 1994 and 2002, alongside Ballon d’Or titles in 1997 and 2002.
Messi, who already holds a record eight Ballon d’Or awards, has the opportunity to join the Brazilian icon by leading Argentina to another World Cup triumph.
The achievement has remained elusive due to football’s history. Although Germany have won four World Cup titles, legends such as Franz Beckenbauer and Lothar Matthäus did not win two World Cups as players. Beckenbauer won the tournament as a player in 1974 and later as a coach in 1990.
Brazilian greats Pelé and Garrincha also won multiple World Cup titles but were not eligible for the Ballon d’Or during their playing careers, as the award was restricted to European players until 1995.
Since the Ballon d’Or was opened to players of all nationalities, stars like Ronaldo and Messi have been eligible to compete for the prestigious individual honour.
Should Argentina defeat Spain in Sunday’s final, Messi will further cement his place among football’s greatest players by joining Ronaldo as the only footballers to have won at least two FIFA World Cups and two Ballon d’Or awards.
Tags: Messi, World Cup Final, Argentina, Spain, Ronaldo Nazário, Football.
