Lionel Messi & More World Cup Stars Everyone Is Talking About

Jun 09, 2026 - 16:14

0 1

Lionel Messi & More World Cup Stars Everyone Is Talking About

BTS, Shakira and Madonna Set to Headline First-Ever FIFA World Cup Halftime Show

The 2026 FIFA World Cup roster is total goals.

Not only is the U.S. soccer team stacked with fan-favorites at the quadrennial sports tournament—which kicks off June 11 across multiple cities in the United States, Canada and Mexico—but the international lineup is teeming with star power as well.

In fact, several of fútbol's all-time greats will be showing up and showing out this year, including the incomparable Lionel Messi.

The 38-year-old will serve as a defending champion as he represents Argentina for the sixth time at the World Cup. A veteran in the game, Messi is also likely looking his extend his record of most goal contributions in the World Cup, having been credited with 21 involvements so far.

But Cristiano Ronaldo is nipping as his cleated heels. After all, the 41-year-old, who's made 19 goal contributions at the sporting competition, is adamant on scoring Portugal's first-ever win in his sixth World Cup appearance.

"Portugal's never won World Cup," he told Piers Morgan in a 2025 interview. "But they can win. Yes, we're going to fight for that."

However, Ronaldo stressed that taking home the elusive prize will not "define if I'm one of the best of history."

"If you ask me, 'Christian, is it a dream to win the World Cup?' No, it's not a dream," said the athlete, who is dad to five kids with longtime partner Georgina Rodriguez. "To win the World Cup, nothing will change my name in the history of football."

Ronaldo added, "People say, 'Christian will be the greatest if they win the World Cup.' I'm not agree."

Dan Mullan/Getty Images

Still, there are plenty others whose dream is to hoist the World Cup trophy. Take Lamine Yamal, who is making his World Cup debut with Team Spain.

"Since childhood, I have dreamed of attending the World Cup, seeing my mother in the stands and representing the national team," the 18-year-old shared during the Laureus World Sports Awards on April 20, where he was honored as the Young Sportsperson of the Year. "These next few months will seem very short, and I clearly hope that we will be the champions."

Meanwhile, Kylian Mbappé of France considers chasing FIFA's top honor his "obsession."

"A World Cup is a World Cup," he said during at press conference at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, where his team was ultimately defeated by Argentina. "It's the competition of my dreams."

For more international players you should keep an eye out for at this year's tournament, keep reading...

Eric Alonso/Getty Images

Lamine Yamal

Age: 18

World Cup Team: Spain

Current Soccer Club: FC Barcelona (Spain)

Position: Midfielder

Don't let Yamal's age fool you. In just two years since his debut, the Spaniard already has a UEFA European Football Championship under his belt. He was also the runner-up for the Ballon d'Or—also known as the "Golden Ball," an award recognizing the best soccer player of the year—in 2025.

CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty Images

Lionel Messi

Age: 38

World Cup Team: Argentina

Current Soccer Club: Inter Miami CF (United States)

Position: Forward

History has its eyes on Messi, who is the most decorated player in the world of soccer. Not only is he the defending World Cup champion, but the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner is on the cusp of becoming the first player to win back-to-back World Cups as the captain of his national team.

Clicks Images/Getty Images

Cristiano Ronaldo

Age: 41

World Cup Team: Portugal

Current Soccer Club: Al-Nassr (Saudi Arabia)

Position: Forward

There's a reason why Ronaldo is considered one of the greatest players of all time. After all, he's scored over 970 goals in his career so far and shows no signs of stopping. He scored at least 100 goals while playing with each of his former clubs—Real Madrid, Manchester United and Juventus—as well as over 130 goals with his national team.

Christian Kaspar-Bartke/Getty Images

Harry Kane

Age: 32

World Cup Team: England

Current Soccer Club: Bayern Munich (Germany)

Position: Forward

Known as one of the best strikers of his generation, Kane is serving as the captain of England's national team for the third consecutive World Cup. In fact, the London native scored the winning goal at the team's warm-up match against New Zealand on June 6.

Stefan Matzke - sampics/Getty Images

Jamal Musiala

Age: 23

World Cup Team: Germany

Current Soccer Club: Bayern Munich (Germany)

Position: Midfielder

Ever since kicking off his professional soccer career at age 16, Musiala has been nicknamed "Bambi" for his graceful movements on the pitch. He made his World Cup debut at the 2022 tournament.

Heuler Andrey/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images

Neymar

Age: 23

World Cup Team: Brazil

Current Soccer Club: Santos FC (Brazil)

Position: Forward

Born Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior, the mononymous sensation is his home country's all-time leading scorer after surpassing Pelé's 52-year record in 2023. He's looking to lead his team back to World Cup glory for the first time since 2002.

Claudio Villa/AC Milan via Getty Images

Luka Modric

Age: 40

World Cup Team: Croatia

Current Soccer Club: AC Milan (Italy)

Position: Midfielder

Considered Croatia's greatest soccer player, Modric captained the nation's team to a third-place victory at the 2018 World Cup. He also holds the record for most caps for Croatia, playing for the country more than 190 times on the international stage.

Angel Martinez/Getty Images

Kylian Mbappe

Age: 27

World Cup Team: France

Current Soccer Club: Real Madrid (Spain)

Position: Forward

Mbappe took home the World Cup when he made his debut in 2018. And after coming close in 2022, with Argentina defeating France in a penalty shoot-out, the Frenchman is undoubtedly entering this year's competition with fire in his belly.

Maria Gracia Jimenez/Soccrates/Getty Images

Vinicius Junior

Age: 25

World Cup Team: Brazil

Current Soccer Club: Real Madrid (Spain)

Position: Forward

Born Vinícius José Paixão de Oliveira Júnior, the Brazilian soccer superstar was crowned The Best FIFA Men’s Player and runner-up to the Ballon d'Or in 2024. In his second World Cup appearance, Vini Jr. is hoping to end Brazil's 24-year wait for the trophy.

For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App