Lionel Messi is now the 14th player ever to win FIFA World Cup in their second Finale

The 60’s generation will remember Pele and Maradona, the 90’s will remember the likes of Oliver Kahn and Roberto Carlos, the 2000’s will remember Rooney and Miroslav Klose, 2010’s will remember Xavi and Cristiano Ronaldo but every footballing generation will remember the name – “Lionel Messi“.

After 7 Ballon D’ors, 4 Champions Leagues and Messi has completed his career by winning the World cup 2 days ago. The 34-year-old has played the most matches, most goal contributions and most man of the match awards in World Cup history. 

Seems as if Messi doesn’t chase records but the records chase Messi. He has played in 5 FIFA World Cup editions, reaching 2 Finals and winning the WC in his second attempt. By doing so, Messi has now become the 14th player ever to win the major tournament in his second attempt after missing out on the first opportunity.

In this feature, let’s know of the previous 13 players who have achieved this amazing feat.

1. Luis Monti 1930, 1934 (Argentina and Italy) – The first player to win the WC in his second shot was Argentine/ Italian footballer Luis Monti. In 1930, he played for La Albiceleste in the World cup and his side did not lose a single match throughout the tournament before losing to inaugural champions Uruguay by 4-2. 4 years later, Monti became eligible for representing the Italian National team as he already had an Italian citizenship. He signed with Juventus at that time and the Italian giants won 4 back to back Serie A titles from 1932-1935. In the second World cup edition in 1938 he won the grandest stage for the Azzuris after beating Czechoslovakia by 2-1 in the Finals.

2. HD Hotteges, Franz Beckenbauer and Wolfganag Overath 1966, 1974 (West Germany) – The second, third and fourth player to do so were West Germany’s HD Hotteges, Franz Beckenbauer and Wolfgang Overath. In the 1966 edition hosted by England, West Germany remained undefeated before losing to the hosts in the Finale. Beckenbauer was a Defender and Overath played as an Attacking midfielder while Hotteges is an unavailable name in Google so we couldn’t figure out the position he played in. 8 years later Germany hosted the 1974 WC and the trio tasted success in their second attempt. West Germany lost only 1 game in that edition against East Germany by 1-0 but they went to beat Johann Cruyff’s Netherlands by 2-1 in the Final.

3. Thomas Berthhold, Andreas Beheme, Lothar Matthaus and Rudi Voller (1986-1990) West Germany – This list is being heavily dominated by Germans as Berthhold, Beheme, Matthaus and Voller became the 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th player to get their hands on the WC trophy after losing the first final. In 1986, West Germany went all the way to the final at Mexico but lost to Diego Maradona’s Argentina by 3-2. In the very next edition at Italy, both the teams met once again in the Final and this time they successfully won the WC by 1-0. Andreas Beheme’s penalty was the only goal scored in Final.

4. Roberto Carlos, Rivaldo, Ronaldo Nazario and Denilson (1998-2002) Brazil – How is it possible to not have Brazilians in any particular football record? They have appeared in every single edition thus they are the Most successful side in the tournaments history with 5 World cup wins. Before Brazil won their last World cup in 2002, they suffered disappointment at France against France in the finals. Roberto Carlos, Rivaldo, Ronaldo Nazario and Denilson were a part of the team on both occasions. The South Americans had an extra ordinary edition, scoring 18 goals and losing once in the group stage. However, they could not apply their magic in the Final against a French side which was reduced to 10-men. They lost by 3-0. In 2002 at South Korea and Japan, Brazil displayed their dominance once again, remaining undefeated throughout the course of the tournament and scored the same amount of goals (18). Carlos, Rivaldo, Ronaldo and Denilson helped Brazil win their 5th World cup trophy.

5. Miroslav Klose (2002-2014) Germany – Another German to present on this list is German legend Miroslav klose who has the record of most goals scored since the World cup’s inception. While Roberto Carlos, Rivaldo, Ronaldo Nazario and Denilson were on the bright side of things at the 2002 Final, Miroslav Klose tasted defeat in his first shot at the WC. However, 2 editions later in 2014 at Brazil, Germany came all guns blazing. In the Semi-finals they thrashed Brazil by 7-1 and took their revenge in the best way possible and then defeated another South American side Argentina in the final by 1-0.

6. Lionel Messi (2014-2022) Argentina – In 2022 at Qatar we all know what happened, Argentina lifted their 3rd World cup trophy against France on penalties. Overall, Messi is the 29th player to get a second shot at winning the World cup after losing the first Final. He is now the 14th footballer to have made the second opportunity count.

Also Read – FIFA World Rankings : Despite crashing out from the Round of 16 Brazil are still on top