The eternals: the footballers who played in five World Cups
Antonio Carbajal was the first; Lothar Matthäus the first outfield player. A select club that also includes Messi and Ronaldo. The oldest: El-Hadary, at 45.
Reaching a World Cup is hard enough; playing in five is a rarity reserved for the most durable and consistent footballers. The first to do it was Mexican goalkeeper Antonio Carbajal, nicknamed «the Five Cups», who guarded Mexico's goal in 1950, 1954, 1958, 1962 and 1966. His mark stood for more than thirty years.
The first outfield player to match it was Germany's Lothar Matthäus, present from 1982 to 1998. Captain of the 1990 world champions and Ballon d'Or winner that same year, he is one of football's great symbols of longevity.
Over time, the five-World-Cup club kept growing. It was joined by Mexicans Rafael Márquez and Andrés Guardado, Italy's Gianluigi Buffon and, more recently, two of the greatest players in history: Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, both present from 2006 to 2022.
When it comes to sheer veteran status, the record has one name: Egyptian goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary. On 25 June 2018, at 45 years and 161 days, he became the oldest player to appear in a World Cup match, and even saved a penalty against Saudi Arabia.
Every edition rewrites these marks of consistency and longevity. But the essence remains: a select few who, tournament after tournament, kept answering their country's call.
Source: Wikipedia (Antonio Carbajal; Lothar Matthäus; Essam El-Hadary; List of players who have appeared in the most FIFA World Cups).