Lionel Messi: Argentina player's World Cup goals, stats and career highlights

Argentina captain Lionel Messi could mark his final World Cup match by winning the title that has proven elusive in an otherwise glittering career for club and country.

Here is a look at the talismanic forward's performance at the tournament in Qatar before Sunday's final at the 80,000 capacity Lusail Stadium against defending champions France as well as his other major highlights.

HOW HAS MESSI PERFORMED IN THE 2022 WORLD CUP?

Messi, who eight years ago dragged Argentina to the World Cup final only to lose to Germany, has been in brilliant form with five goals in the 2022 tournament - the same as French striker Kylian Mbappe.

The 35-year-old Argentine also tops the assists charts with three to sit alongside Harry Kane (England), Antoine Griezmann (France) and Bruno Fernandes (Portugal).

HOW DOES MESSI COMPARE WITH OTHER KEY PLAYERS IN QATAR?

Messi has had a significantly better tournament than his great rival and five-times Ballon D'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo, who was benched by Portugal for their games against Switzerland and Morocco after scoring in a fifth straight World Cup.

A lot was expected of Messi's Paris St Germain team mate Neymar Jr., but the Brazilian scored only two goals and could not help the five-times champions get past the quarter-finals after overcoming his injury woes earlier in the tournament.

Mbappe, another of Messi's PSG colleagues, has also enjoyed a superb tournament to set up a tantalising showdown with him for the golden boot on the grandest stage of world soccer.

WHAT ARE THE HIGHLIGHTS OF MESSI'S INTERNATIONAL CAREER?

* International caps: 171

* International goals: 96

* World Cup appearances: 5 (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022)

* World Cup matches played: 25 (joint-record with Germany's Lothar