Lionel Messi has already more than proven himself.
He cried after scoring three goals in Argentina’s first World Cup game not because it broke records, but for personal reasons.
After the game, I shared with reporters that I’ve been dealing with a really tough time personally – something entirely separate from what happened on the field. It’s been a complex few days, to say the least.
Although the 38-year-old didn’t share details about his personal difficulties, he thanked the people who have consistently supported him, both in his career and in his personal life.
He expressed his gratitude to everyone on the delegation and his teammates, saying they consistently supported him and gave him the strength he needed to succeed. He kept it simple, saying that support meant everything.
Argentina’s three goals secured their win against Algeria and achieved a historic milestone for Messi. He became the oldest player to ever score a hat trick in a World Cup match, and with his 16th career World Cup goal, he tied the record previously held by Miroslav Klose of Germany.
Honestly, stats don’t even matter to him! I mean, this guy – our hero who basically carried the team to win the whole thing in 2022 – isn’t out there for numbers. He plays because he genuinely loves it, and that’s what makes him incredible.
As a huge fan, I always thought Ronaldo Nazário was one of the very best, but looking at the numbers, he only scored 15 goals in his FIFA World Cup career. That’s why, even though Messi was honored to be mentioned with Miroslav Klose, he rightly pointed out it’s just a statistic – important, sure, but not the whole story.
Okay, so he said it’s an ‘honor’ to go up against everyone else… but honestly? It felt like he didn’t care at ALL. Like, all the other competitors meant absolutely nothing to him! I just…I can’t wrap my head around that level of focus – or maybe indifference. It’s both amazing and a little unsettling, you know?
The notion that statistics and World Cup victories aren’t the ultimate measure of a player is challenged by Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portuguese star who, at 39, is competing in his sixth World Cup.
Although he wants to lead his nation to victory in the World Cup for the first time, he explained to Piers Morgan in 2025 that winning isn’t the only measure of his success as a player – it won’t determine whether he’s remembered as one of the greatest ever.
When asked if winning the World Cup would be a dream come true, Christian Pulisic responded, ‘Absolutely not.’ He believes achieving that victory would cement his place in football history and fundamentally alter how he’s remembered.
For more information on the international stars competing at this year’s FIFA World Cup, read on.
Age: 18
World Cup Team: Spain
Current Soccer Club: FC Barcelona (Spain)
Position: Midfielder
Despite being very young, Yamal has quickly become a standout soccer player. He’s already won a UEFA European Championship and finished second in the voting for the Ballon d’Or – the award for the world’s best player – in 2025.
Age: 38
World Cup Team: Argentina
Current Soccer Club: Inter Miami CF (United States)
Position: Forward
Lionel Messi is one of the greatest soccer players of all time, and all eyes are on him as he aims for another historic achievement. As the current World Cup champion and a record eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, he’s now trying to lead his team to an unprecedented second consecutive World Cup title.
Age: 41
World Cup Team: Portugal
Current Soccer Club: Al-Nassr (Saudi Arabia)
Position: Forward
Cristiano Ronaldo is widely regarded as one of the best soccer players ever, and for good reason. He’s scored more than 970 career goals and continues to add to that total. Remarkably, he’s reached at least 100 goals with every club he’s played for – including Real Madrid, Manchester United, and Juventus – plus over 130 while representing his country.
Age: 32
World Cup Team: England
Current Soccer Club: Bayern Munich (Germany)
Position: Forward
Harry Kane is widely considered one of the top strikers of his generation and is captaining England’s national team for the third World Cup in a row. He recently scored the goal that won their pre-World Cup friendly match against New Zealand on June 6th.
Age: 23
World Cup Team: Germany
Current Soccer Club: Bayern Munich (Germany)
Position: Midfielder
Jamal Musiala earned the nickname “Bambi” early in his professional soccer career – starting when he was just 16 – because of how gracefully he moves while playing. He first played in the World Cup in 2022.
Age: 34
World Cup Team: Brazil
Current Soccer Club: Santos FC (Brazil)
Position: Forward
Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior, known simply as Neymar, became Brazil’s all-time leading goal scorer in 2023, breaking a record held by Pelé for over 52 years. He now aims to help his team win the World Cup, something they haven’t achieved since 2002.
Age: 40
World Cup Team: Croatia
Current Soccer Club: AC Milan (Italy)
Position: Midfielder
Luka Modric is widely regarded as Croatia’s best soccer player ever. He led his national team to a third-place finish at the 2018 World Cup and has appeared in over 190 international matches – more than any other Croatian player.
Age: 27
World Cup Team: France
Current Soccer Club: Real Madrid (Spain)
Position: Forward
Oh my gosh, I still remember when Mbappe burst onto the scene at the 2018 World Cup and won! It was incredible. Then 2022… so close! That penalty shootout against Argentina was heartbreaking, but honestly? I think it just made him even more determined. You can tell he’s going into this year’s tournament with everything he has – a real fire to win it all again. He has to!
Age: 25
World Cup Team: Brazil
Current Soccer Club: Real Madrid (Spain)
Position: Forward
Vinícius José Paixão de Oliveira Júnior, known as Vini Jr., is a Brazilian soccer star who received The Best FIFA Men’s Player award and finished second in the Ballon d’Or rankings in 2024. As he enters his second World Cup, he aims to help Brazil win their first championship in 24 years.
Read More
- Green Game Jam returns with 70 games teaming up to tackle the climate crisis
- PI PREDICTION. PI cryptocurrency
- USD THB PREDICTION
- USD CHF PREDICTION
- USD MYR PREDICTION
- USD HKD PREDICTION
- Brent Oil Forecast
- USD MXN PREDICTION
- USD JPY PREDICTION
- EUR HKD PREDICTION
2026-06-17 19:53