World Cup 2022: Messi to Join Elite Club of 8 Players if He Wins Trophy

• Lionel Messi is in line to become only the ninth player in history to win the World Cup, Ballon d'Or, and the Champions League
• While the star forward has won the Champions League and the Ballon d'Or on multiple occasions, the World Cup has often been elusive
• Messi's Argentina are scheduled to face off against holders France in the final of the 2022 Qatar edition of the World Cup

Lionel Messi is due to join an elite club of only eight players to win the World Cup, Ballon d'Or, and the Champions League.

However, that can only happen if Messi's Argentina overcome reigning champions France during their World Cup final clash on Sunday, December 18.

The Paris Saint-Germain superstar has been in impeccable form, with his heroics helping the team reach the final round of the tournament.

The 35-year-old has already scored five times and bagged four assists and will be hoping to add to his tally during the final.

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According to the Daily Mail, a win over France will see Messi become only the ninth player in history to win the World Cup, the Champions League, and the Ballon d'Or.

Who are the eight players?

Manchester United legend Bobby Charlton, France icon Zinedine Zidane, and Brazil's Ronaldinho are among the few players who have replicated the feat.

Charlton won the World Cup in 1966 with England, the European Cup in 1968 (Manchester United); and the Ballon d'Or 1966.

On his part, Zidane won the World Cup and the Ballon d'Or with France in 1998 before he followed up that feat with a Champions League with Real Madrid in 2002.

Below are the players who have won the World Cup, Ballon d'Or, and Champions League:

1. Bobby Charlton - World Cup 1966 (England); European Cup 1968 (Manchester United); Ballon d'Or 1966

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2. Franz Beckenbauer - World Cup 1974 (West Germany); European Cup 1974, 1975, 1976 (Bayern Munich); Ballon d'Or 1972, 1976

3. Gerd Muller - World Cup 1974 (West Germany); European Cup 1974, 1975, 1976 (Bayern Munich); Ballon d'Or 1970

4. Paolo Rossi - World Cup 1982 (Italy); European Cup 1985 (Juventus); Ballon d'Or 1982

5. Zinedine Zidane - World Cup 1998 (France); Champions League 2002 (Real Madrid); Ballon d'Or 1998

6. Rivaldo - World Cup 2002 (Brazil); Champions League 2003 (AC Milan); Ballon d'Or 1999

7. Ronaldinho - World Cup 2002 (Brazil); Champions League 2006 (Barcelona); Ballon d'Or 2005

8. Kaka - World Cup 2002 (Brazil); Champions League 2007 (AC Milan); Ballon d'Or 2007

Messi confirms final World Cup game

Sports Brief earlier reported that Messi confirmed Sunday's final will be his last World Cup match regardless of the outcome.

The Argentina captain will play his second World Cup final on Sunday having also played the final in 2014 which he lost to Germany.

He will also become the World Cup all time appearance holder with 26 games, surpassing Lothar Matthaus.