This is what happened in each of Messi's 26 World Cup matches

December 18, 2022 marks the end of the Lionel Messi's exciting adventure with the World Cup, the competition he has long been dreaming of winning and which for the second time is just a game away.

He has left an impression on everyone, and Sunday will be his 26th and final World Cup match, as he faces France in the final.

Here comes a look at what happened in each of the previous 25 World Cup games that the No.10 took part in.

1. 16-6-2006: His World Cup debut was in the second group match against Serbia in 2006, and he scored in the 6-0 win after coming off the bench.

2. 21-6-2006: Messi's first start was the 0-0 draw against the Netherlands. The match was very rough but Argentina went through as group winners. He played 70 minutes.

3. 24-6-2006: This was a tremendous match against Mexico that was solved with a great goal by Maxi Rodriguez in the 98th minute. Messi was again a substitute and came on in the 84th minute for Javier Saviola.

4. 12-6-2010: Against Nigeria at Ellis Park in Johannesburg, Messi played his first World Cup match with the No.10 shirt.

5. 17-6-2010: Argentina were on fire and Gonzalo Higuain scored a hat-trick with help from Messi as they beat South Korea 4-1.

6. 22-6-2010: Diego Maradona rested Javier Mascherano and Messi put on the armband for the first time in the World Cup. Argentina beat Greece 2-0.

7. 27-6-2010: This was an eventful and controversial 3-1 win over Mexico in the round of 16, but no goals for Messi.

8- 3-7-2010: Messi could not help as Argentina were beaten 4-0 by Germany in the quarter-finals.

9. 16-6-2014: Messi arrived at the World Cup in Brazil in great shape, just days away from his 27th birthday. Argentina defeated Bosnia 2-1 with a goal by Messi.

10. 21-6-2014: Against a highly organised Iran, Messi's left-footed strike in the 92nd minute dramatically won the game. It was the first time he had scored in two consecutive games in a World Cup.

11. 25-6-2014: A 3-2 win over Nigeria. It is Messi's only brace in World Cups so far, with his fastest goal (two minutes and twenty-five seconds) and his only freekick goal in World Cups.

12. 1-7-2014: This was a very tough game against Switzerland in Sao Paulo. The goal didn't come until the 118th minute, thanks to Angel Di Maria after good play from Messi.

13. 5-7-2014: Belgium controlled Messi well in Brasilia, but were unable to stop Higuain's goal eight minutes into the match. Argentina were back in a World Cup semi-final.

14. 9-7-2014: Messi, well-controlled throughout the match by Louis van Gaal's Netherlands side, scored his team's first spot kick in a shootout win.

15. 13-7-2014: Messi was voted the best player at the World Cup, but Germany won the final in extra time.

16. 16-6-2018: Messi missed a penalty as Argentina drew 1-1 with Iceland in Russia.

17. 21-6-2018: An awful 3-0 defeat for Argentina against Croatia left them on the brink of elimination.

18- 26-6-2018. Argentina made it through with a 2-1 win over Nigeria and a goal from Messi.

19. 30-6-2018: Kylian Mbappe's France side send Messi and Argentina home in the round of 16.

20. 22-11-2022: Messi scored a penalty, but Argentina were beaten by Saudi Arabia 2-1 in Qatar.

21. 26-11-2022: Messi scored the first goal against Mexico and Enzo Fernandez finished off the game to get back on track.

22- 30-11-2022: The Poland match was the only Argentina game in this World Cup without a goal from Messi. He missed a penalty but Argentina went through with a 2-0 win.

23. 3-12-2022: Messi got the first in a tense game against Australia that ended 2-1.

24- 9-12-2022: Messi had an altercation with Wout Weghorst and scored a penalty as Argentina knocked the Netherlands out.

25. 13-12-2022: The semi-final against Croatia saw Messi score another penalty and produce an incredible assist for Julian Alvarez to win 3-0.