If he takes the field on Sunday (July 19) against Spain at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, Messi will also become only the second player after Brazil star Cafu (1994, 1998, and 2002) to play in three finals of the FIFA World Cup. However, the legendary full-back came on as a substitute against Italy in 1994, and Messi can become the first-ever starter in three summit clashes. West Germany’s Lothar Matthaus and Pierre Littbarski, alongside Brazil’s Pelé, have been part of the squads to play three finals, but all four took the pitch only in two of them.
