The image of Argentina's captain lifting the 2022 World Cup will become instantly iconic, should La Albiceleste end France's reign on Sunday.
It would be the moment Argentina ended its 36-year wait for World Cup glory and became triple champions. But that's not all.
Victory will assure Argentina's skipper equalled the great Diego Maradona's 1986 achievement, when the great man drove his country to glory.
Before he can think of lifting that glittering golden trophy, captain Messi faces a monumental task to inspire his nation against Kylian Mbappe and Co.
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Who is Argentina team captain?
Lionel Messi wears the armband for Argentina. Although he's not a stereotypical captain personality, it's hard to imagine a more inspirational figure that could lead a World Cup tilt.
Messi leads by example, evidenced at Qatar 2022. His mesmeric talent has been at the heart of all Argentina's match-winning moments.
The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner took the Argentina armband in August 2011 before captaining his nation at three consecutive World Cups.
He is Argentina's record goalscorer (96), appearance-maker (171) and the squad's most senior outfield player at 35-years-old. Playing his fifth World Cup, Sunday's final will be the last time we see Messi on football's biggest stage.
Where does Lionel Messi play?
When Messi isn't on international duty, he works his magic for French giants Paris Saint-Germain.
The forward joined PSG ahead of the 2021/22 season after a transfer saga that gripped the footballing world and beyond.
Messi is Barcelona's greatest player across their history of success. He was talent-spotted by the club and rose through their academy to lift four Champions Leagues. He scored 672 goals in 778 games there.
However, Messi walked away when Barcelona plunged into a financial crisis, following a much-publicised row with the Catalan club's board.
Messi lifted the Ligue 1 title in his first season at PSG but the French club will be hoping the Argentina captain can end their Champions League search.
MORE: Lionel Messi vs Kylian Mbappe: Records, stats ahead of World Cup final clash
Lionel Messi trophies
A glance at Messi's individual stats and trophy haul is enough to blow anyone's mind. His relentless success is only matched by Cristiano Ronaldo across the game's entire history.
For a long time, Messi was considered unable to bring his magic touch to Argentina duty, despite reaching six major finals. Lifting the 2021 Copa America crushed those claims.
Trophies won at Barcelona
| Honour | Titles | Seasons |
| La Liga (Spanish league) |
10 | 2004/05, 2005/06, 2008/09, 2009/10, 2010/11, 2012/13, 2014/15, 2015/16, 2017/18, 2018/19 |
| La Liga Player of the Year | 6 | 2008/09, 2009/10, 2010/11, 2011/12, 2012/13, 2014/15 |
| La Liga top scorer (Pichichi trophy) |
8 | 2009/10, 2011/12, 2012/13, 2016/17, 2017/18, 2018/19, 2019/20, 2020/21 |
| Copa del Rey (Spanish Cup) |
7 | 2008/09, 2011/12, 2014/15, 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18, 2020/21 |
| Supercopa de Espana (Spanish Super Cup) |
7 | 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2016, 2018 |
| UEFA Champions League | 4 | 2005/06, 2008/09, 2010/11, 2014/15 |
| UEFA Super Cup | 3 | 2009, 2011, 2015 |
| FIFA Club World Cup | 3 | 2009, 2011, 2015 |
| European Golden Boot (Top scorer in Europe) |
6 | 2009/10, 2011/12, 2012/13, 2016/17, 2017/18, 2018/19 |
| Ballon d'Or (World Player of the Year) |
7 | 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021 |
| FIFA World Player of the Year (Awarded from 1991-2015) |
1 | 2009 |
| FIFA The Best Award (Player of the Year est. 2015) |
1 | 2019 |
Trophies won at PSG
| Honor | Titles | Seasons |
| Ligue 1 (French league) |
1 | 2021/22 |
| Trophee des Champions (French Super Cup) |
1 | 2022 |
Trophies won with Argentina
| Honor | Titles | Seasons |
| Copa America (South American title) |
1 | 2021 |
| FIFA World Cup Golden Ball (Best player of tournament) |
1 | 2014 |
| Finalissima (UEFA-CONMEBOL trophy) |
1 | 2022 |
| Olympic gold medal | 1 | 2008 |
| FIFA Under-20 World Cup | 1 | 2005 |
| Argentina Player of the Year | 14 | 2005, 2007-2013, 2015-2017, 2019-2021 |
