Appreciating the three legends about to characteristic of their FIFTH World Cup

Featuring in a World Cup is a dream for any footballer. Competing in FIVE completely different World Cup tournaments is an honour solely a choose few have ever achieved.

Before the 2022 FIFA World Cup, simply three gamers – Antonio Carbajal (1950, 1954, 1958, 1962, and 1966), Lothar Matthaus (1982, 1986, 1990, 1994, 1998) and Rafael Marquez (2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018) have ever performed in 5 tournaments. A fifth, Gianluigi Buffon, has been part of 5 squads however didn’t characteristic at his first World Cup in 1998.

That unique group is about to swell in Qatar nevertheless, with three gamers in line to play of their fifth World Cup.

Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi has confirmed that Qatar can be his remaining World Cup, with the Argentina nice embarking on one final try to say soccer’s greatest prize.

Messi first appeared within the World Cup in 2006, the place he turned the youngest ever participant to characterize La Albiceleste on the finals when making his match debut in opposition to Serbia. After quarter-final exits in his first two appearances, Messi received the Golden Ball as Argentina completed as runners-up in 2014.

His fifth #FIFAWorldCup awaits

Will Lionel Messi lead Argentina to glory? pic.twitter.com/2WgBDJ7Pig

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 13, 2022

He scored 4 objectives in the course of the run to the ultimate, however was unable to stop the South Americans from falling to defeat to Germany.

Messi arrives at his fifth World Cup in superb form, with each Argentina and their talisman in very good type. Argentina haven’t misplaced for the reason that 2019 Copa America semi-finals, a run of 36 video games. That run consists of success on the 2021 Copa America and Lionel Scaloni’s facet can transfer previous Italy’s all-time file (37) in the course of the group stage.

Messi has 11 objectives in his final seven appearances for the nationwide facet and 26 purpose involvements in 18 video games for Paris Saint-Germain this season. He will wish to enhance on a World Cup file of simply six in 19 video games – none of which have come within the knockout rounds.

Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo could make historical past this winter as he appears to be like to grow to be the primary participant to attain in 5 completely different World Cups.

Ronaldo made his first look within the match in 2006 as Portugal reached the semi-final and have become his nation’s youngest goalscorer on the World Cup after netting a penalty in opposition to Iran.

His finest particular person match got here in 2018, one which included an excellent efficiency in opposition to Spain. Ronaldo hit a hat-trick – together with an excellent 88th-minute free-kick – throughout an exhilarating 3-3 draw between the edges.

2006
2010
2014
2018
2022

Will @Cristiano grow to be the primary male participant to attain at 5 World Cups?#FIFAWorldCup | #Qatar2022 pic.twitter.com/u4g6abMZmL

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 12, 2022

His treble made Ronaldo the oldest participant to attain a World Cup hat-trick and he added a fourth within the match in opposition to Morocco. Ronaldo has scored seven objectives in 17 appearances on the World Cup, however like Messi has failed to attain within the knockout rounds.

He can be eager to finish that undesirable file in Qatar.

Andres Guardado

Andres Guardado is about to grow to be the third Mexican to have featured in 5 World Cups, because the midfielder follows within the footsteps of compatriots Antonio Carbajal and Rafael Marquez.

The 36-year-old ex-Deportivo La Coruna and PSV midfielder remains to be going sturdy at Real Betis, the place he has spent the previous 5 seasons placing in elegant midfield performances.

No participant has ever made extra appearances for Mexico, with Guardado transferring previous Claudio Suárez after incomes his 178th cap for El Tri in 2022. He has confirmed this can be his farewell on the worldwide stage admits that fairly than the data, he needs to be remembered as a participant who ‘gave their all’ for the nationwide facet.

Andrés Guardado turns into essentially the most capped participant in Mexico's historical past with 178 appearances pic.twitter.com/L8QsS0ctbd

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) November 16, 2022

Guardado will hope Mexico can break their fourth recreation curse in Qatar and put an finish to one of many World Cup’s most outstanding data. The Mexicans have reached the final 16 in seven straight tournaments since 1994, however have fallen at that hurdle on every event.

Veteran goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa has additionally travelled with Mexico for his fifth World Cup match, however didn’t make an look both 2006 or 2010.

Read – World Cup – Group A Preview

Read Also – World Cup – Group B Preview

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The put up Appreciating the three legends about to feature in their FIFTH World Cup first appeared on The Football Faithful. Source – thefootballfaithful.com