Lionel Messi took to the pitch for the 2026 World Cup group stage game against Algeria, which ended in a 3-0 victory, sporting a special badge celebrating his sixth appearance in the tournament. On his shirt, the Argentine star had an emblem with the word "Legacy" ("Legacy"). This same emblem will also be used in the next games by Cristiano Ronaldo and Guillermo Ochoa, who are also playing in their sixth World Cup.
Furthermore, Messi displayed on his left arm a "Golden Ball" emblem, in honor of the award he received as the best player at the 2022 World Cup. Kylian Mbappé, in turn, played against Senegal with an emblem in reference to the "Golden Shoe" from the previous World Cup, while Emiliano Martínez was awarded the "Golden Glove" for his performance at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. These initiatives are part of a new FIFA proposal to recognize the notable achievements of players in the history of the World Cup.