Most World Cup matches played (all time): Lionel Messi holds this record with 26 matches, surpassing Lothar Matthäus (25) during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Most consecutive World Cups played: Antonio Carbajal (Mexico, 1950–1966) and Lothar Matthäus (Germany, 1982-1998) both appeared in five consecutive World Cups—a feat matched by Messi, Ronaldo, Guardado and Ochoa (2006–2022).
Most knockout-stage appearances: Messi also holds this record, having appeared in the most World Cup knockout matches of any player—a reflection of Argentina’s consistent deep tournament runs across his career.
Longest gap between first and last World Cup: Antonio Carbajal of Mexico played his first World Cup in 1950 and his last in 1966 —a span of 16 years. Lothar Matthäus matched this from 1982 to 1998.
Most goals AND most appearances: Miroslav Klose’s combination of 24 appearances and 16 goals is uniquely dominant—no player comes close to matching both records simultaneously.
Most World Cup appearances scored at: Cristiano Ronaldo is the only male footballer to have scored at five different World Cups —Germany 2006, South Africa 2010, Brazil 2014, Russia 2018, and Qatar 2022.
Most appearances by a defender: Paolo Maldini’s 23 World Cup matches for Italy remain the all-time record for any player who spent the majority of their career in a defensive position.