When Argentina's captain, Lionel Messi, leads the reigning champions against Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final on Sunday, he may tie a record held by legendary Brazilian player Ronaldo Nazún. Messi would win his second World Cup trophy and become just the second player in football history to win two FIFA World Cups and two Ballon d'Or honors if Argentina were to hold onto the title they earned in Qatar in 2022.
Ronaldo, who won the Ballon d'Or in 1997 and 2002 and the World Cup with Brazil in 1994 and 2002, is now the only player to have accomplished the feat.
If Argentina defeats Spain in Sunday's final, Messi, an eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, will have the chance to equal Ronaldo's accomplishment. Messi won his first World Cup in Qatar four years ago.
Due in great part to football's history and the timing of significant international victories, the record has remained unmatched.
Ballon d'Or winners like Franz Beckenbauer and Lothar Matthäus did not win two World Cups as players, despite Germany's four World Cup victories.
Both as a coach in 1990 and as a player in 1974, Beckenbauer won the competition.
Similarly, because the Ballon d'Or was only given to European football players until 1995, Brazilian greats Pelé and Garrincha, who won numerous World Cups, were not eligible to receive it during their playing careers.
Since the Ballon d'Or was made available to athletes of all nations in 1995, non-European celebrities like Ronaldo and Messi have been able to compete for the prize.
When Argentina plays Spain in the World Cup final, Messi—who has already won an unprecedented eight Ballon d'Or titles—will have another chance to leave his mark.
If he wins, he will join Ronaldo as the only players to have won both a FIFA World Cup and at least two Ballon d'Or prizes.
