Messi Breaks World Cup Appearance Record

As of yesterday, Lionel Messi has become the new record holder as the professional soccer player with the most appearances in a FIFA World Cup. The Argentine player took to the pitch for his 26th time in a World Cup tournament, which means he has now overtaken the ranks of Lothar Matthäus and Miroslav Klose.

At the same time, Messi is now the second-oldest scorer in a World Cup final at 35 years and 177 days; only Sweden's Nils Liedholm was marginally older at 35 years and 264 days when he scored in a 2-5 decision lost against Brazil in 1958. Messi is now also the player with the most goal assists in World Cup tournaments since data collection began in 1966. He has 13 goals and eight assists.

Meanwhile, France's Hugo Lloris set a World Cup record for goalkeepers. The 35-year-old Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper played his 20th World Cup game in the final, leaving the previous record holder Manuel Neuer (19) behind. In the semifinal against Morocco (2:0), Lloris had equaled the German national goalkeeper.