Argentina's Messi plays in record sixth World Cup

Lionel Messi became the first man to play in six World Cup tournaments when he started for Argentina in their opening match against Algeria in Kansas City on Tuesday. Messi, who captained the South American nation to the title four years ago in Qatar, is also winning his 200th international cap.

The Argentine's great rival, Cristiano Ronaldo, will equal Messi's record of six World Cup appearances if he plays for Portugal against DR Congo on Wednesday. Messi made his World Cup debut as a teenager at the 2006 tournament in Germany and announced the 2022 edition would be his last.