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Top Players with Most World Cup Matches Ahead of 2026 Tournament

KVIA•Thursday, June 11, 2026 at 11:00 AM•CNN Newsource

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As the 2026 World Cup approaches, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Guillermo Ochoa have made history by being the first players to participate in six different World Cups. Messi leads the pack with 26 matches played, following his triumph in Qatar 2022. The article highlights the remarkable careers of these players, including their key performances and records, such as Miroslav Klose's 16 goals and Paolo Maldini's perfect match participation. These records showcase the enduring legacy and impact of these athletes on the world stage, with fans eagerly anticipating their performances in the upcoming tournament.

Key Details: • Lionel Messi has played in five World Cups, winning in 2022. • Cristiano Ronaldo is the first to score in five World Cups. • Miroslav Klose holds the record for most goals scored in World Cup history with 16. • Guillermo Ochoa has participated in six World Cups, though not all with playing time. • The next World Cup will take place in 2026, featuring these legendary players.

sports world-cup soccer lionel-messi cristiano-ronaldo

People & Organizations

Lionel MessiCristiano RonaldoMiroslav KloseHugo LlorisDiego MaradonaGuillermo OchoaPaolo MaldiniUwe SeelerWladyslaw ZmudaCafúPhilipp LahmBastian SchweinsteigerGrzegorz Lato

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