Well, representing their respective home countries in the FIFA World Cup is often hailed as one of the biggest milestones in the professional careers of football players. The glorious history of the FIFA World Cup, which spans over decades, has witnessed numerous legendary football stalwarts dominating their arch-rivals and clinching the prestigious trophy with their unmatched exploits on the field. While it’s still a far-fetched dream for the majority of young football players to represent their country at the FIFA World Cup, a few veteran football players have already lived their dream of officially being a part of the world’s most prestigious football tournament in the world, not just once -four times! Have you ever wondered about the top-notch football players who have played in four different editions of the World Cup? Well, let’s find out.
In this article we will take a look at the top four veteran football players who have been a part of the four editions of the FIFA World Cup.
Top 4 Footballers Who Played in Four Different World Cups
Lionel Messi
Often hailed as one of the greatest professional football players of all-time, the Argentine football sensation Lionel Messi is at the first spot in our list of the top four legendary football players who have been a part of four World Cup editions. As of July 2025, Lionel Messi has been a part of five FIFA editions in the years 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022. Lionel Messi led Argentina to their third World Cup title at the 2022 FIFA World Cup held in Qatar, scoring 7 goals and winning the Golden Ball. Additionally, over the decades, Lionel Messi has successfully established himself as the only football player in history to score in every round of a single World Cup edition.
Cristiano Ronaldo
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At the second spot in our list of the top four veteran football players who have been a part of the four editions of the FIFA World Cup we have the legendary Portuguese professional football player Cristiano Ronaldo, who is often regarded as one of the greatest football players of all-time by millions of his hardcore fans from around the world. Throughout his star-studded professional football career so far, Cristiano Ronaldo has appeared in a total of five FIFA World Cup editions in the years 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022. Additionally, Cristiano Ronaldo has scored a phenomenal total of 8 goals in the 22 matches that he has played so far. Interestingly, Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the very few football stalwarts who have scored in every single edition of FIFA that he has played so far in his career.
Miroslav Klose
Next, at the third spot in our list of the top four legendary football players who have been a part of four World Cup editions, we have the legendary German professional football manager and former player, Miroslav Klose, who currently serves as head coach of 1. FC Nürnberg. Often hailed and commemorated as one of the top goalscorers for Germany, Miroslav Klose has played a total of four FIFA World Cup editions in the years 2002, 2006, 2010 and 2014 and has managed to score a record total of sixteen goals, making him one of the most successful and influential players in the history of the game. Moreover, as of July 2025, Miroslav Klose continues to be the only football player to score in the four consecutive World Cups that he has played in his glorious career.
Pele
Finally, at the fourth spot in our list of the top four veteran football players who have been a part of the four editions of the FIFA World Cup, we have the legendary Brazilian professional footballer, Pele, who played as a forward. Often widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, Pele appeared in a total of four FIFA World Cup editions in the years 1958, 1962, 1966 and 1970. Out of the four FIFA editions that he played, Pele clinched three out of them in the years 1958, 1962 and 1970. Throughout his glorious and star-studded professional football career, Pele scored a total of twelve goals in the fourteen matches that he played in his career.
