Lionel Messi’s Unforgettable Game Legacy and the Impactful Milestones of His Career

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Lionel Messi: A Reign of Finals – 35 championship Matches and Counting

Published: August 28, 2025 at 3:54 PM EDT

At 35, Lionel Messi has reached an amazing milestone: participation in 35 major finals throughout his illustrious career.The Argentinian superstar’s recent successes, including the 2022 World Cup triumph and his second Copa América title in 2024, have further cemented his legacy and added to an already remarkable collection of achievements.

Lionel Messi celebrates one of his goals in the 2022 World Cup final. EFE

A Trophy Cabinet For The Ages

Messi’s journey to the pinnacle of football has been marked by consistent success across multiple clubs and the national team. His 35 final appearances represent a unique testament to his skill, determination, and the winning cultures he has fostered throughout his career. To date, he boasts 25 victories and 10 defeats in these high-stakes encounters, scoring 24 goals and providing 11 assists.

Across his career, Messi has competed in finals with Barcelona, the Argentinian National Team, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), and Inter Miami. Here’s a breakdown of his appearances:

Team	Number of Finals
Barcelona	22
Argentina National Team	10
Paris Saint-Germain	1
Inter Miami	2
Total	35

National Team Glory: A Dream Realized

For years, Messi’s brilliance was recognized globally, yet a major international trophy eluded him. This changed with Argentina’s Copa América victory in 2021, defeating Brazil 1-0 at the Maracanã stadium. That triumph broke a long-standing “curse” for the Argentinian national team and ignited a new era of success.

The momentum continued with a convincing 3-0 victory against Italy at Wembley Stadium to claim the Finalissima in 2022. The ultimate prize, though, arrived in Qatar at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, where Argentina secured a dramatic victory over France in a penalty shootout. Messi’s recent success continued with the 2024 Copa América title, secured with a 1-0 win against colombia in Miami.

Prior achievements with Argentina include a gold medal at the 2008 Beijing olympics and a U-20 World Cup title in 2005, showcasing his talent from a young age.

Barcelona: A Reign of Domestic and European Dominance

Beyond his national team achievements, Messi’s time with Barcelona was defined by consistent success in both domestic and European competitions. He participated in three UEFA Champions League finals,winning in 2009,2011,and 2015. He also secured three European Super Cups and three Club world Cups with the Catalan giants, along with seven Spanish King’s Cups.

His impact extended to the Spanish Super Cup, which he won twice, further solidifying his place as a Barcelona legend.

Continued Success: PSG and inter Miami

After leaving Barcelona, Messi continued to add to his trophy haul with Paris Saint-Germain, winning the French Super Cup in 2022. His move to Inter Miami has already yielded a historic Leagues Cup title in 2023, marking the franchise’s first major honor.

the Evolution of the Modern Final

The increasing competitiveness of modern football has transformed the role of the “final.” Where once a single match decided a championship, many competitions now feature multi-leg affairs, penalty shootouts, and complex tiebreaker rules. This evolution demands not only peak athletic performance but also remarkable mental fortitude and strategic adaptability from players like Messi.

Did you know? The introduction of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology has significantly impacted the outcome of several high-profile finals in recent years, adding another layer of scrutiny and debate to already intense matches.

Frequently asked Questions About Lionel Messi’s Finals record

• How many finals has Lionel Messi played in total? Lionel Messi has participated in 35 major finals throughout his career as of August 28, 2025.
• What is Lionel Messi’s win-loss record in finals? He has a record of 25 wins and 9 losses.
• Which team has Messi played the most finals for? Barcelona, with 22 final appearances.
• What major trophies has Messi won with Argentina? He has won the Copa América (2021, 2024), the World Cup (2022) and the Finalissima (2022).
• How many goals has messi scored in finals? He has scored 24 goals in his 35 final appearances.
• What is the significance of Messi’s recent Copa América win? It marked Argentina’s first major trophy in 28 years and ended a long period of frustration for Messi and the national team.
• What kind of impact did Messi have on Inter Miami? He led Inter Miami to their first-ever major title, the Leagues Cup, in 2023.

What do you think is Messi’s most impressive final victory? And what records do you predict he’ll break next? Share your thoughts in the comments below!