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Football icon Lionel Messi delivered another masterclass on the world stage, scoring a sensational hat-trick as Argentina defeated Algeria 3-0 in their 2026 FIFA World Cup clash on Wednesday.
The historic performance saw the Argentina captain equal Miroslav Klose’s all-time World Cup scoring record of 16 goals while also matching the German legend’s tally of 17 World Cup victories.
Messi’s latest heroics further cemented his place among football’s greatest players, as he became the first player in World Cup history to score against 11 different national teams. The achievement moved him ahead of Brazilian legend Ronaldo Nazário and Germany’s Jürgen Klinsmann, who had previously shared the record with goals against 10 nations.
At 38 years and 357 days old, the Inter Miami star also became the oldest player ever to score a World Cup hat-trick, surpassing Cristiano Ronaldo’s previous record set at the 2018 tournament.
The three-goal display added another chapter to Messi’s remarkable World Cup legacy, which already includes a host of records and milestones.
Among his scoring achievements, Messi is Argentina’s highest-ever World Cup scorer, ahead of Gabriel Batistuta, Diego Maradona, Guillermo Stábile, Mario Kempes and Gonzalo Higuaín. He is also South America’s leading scorer in World Cup history, having surpassed Ronaldo Nazário’s tally.
His two long-range strikes against Algeria increased his total of World Cup goals scored from outside the box to six, setting a new record and overtaking Brazil’s Rivellino.
Messi remains the only player to have scored World Cup goals in his teenage years, his twenties and his thirties, while the gap between his first and latest World Cup goals now spans an unprecedented 20 years.
In terms of appearances, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner stands alone as the only footballer to feature in six World Cup tournaments. He has accumulated 27 World Cup appearances and a record 2,404 minutes played, surpassing previous marks held by Lothar Matthäus and Paolo Maldini.
The Argentine legend also holds the record for most World Cup matches as captain, with 20 appearances wearing the armband for his country.
Beyond goals, Messi has distinguished himself as one of the tournament’s greatest creators. He is the only player to register assists in five different World Cups and shares the record for most knockout-stage assists with Brazilian icon Pelé.
His influence extends to individual accolades, including a record 12 Player of the Match awards and two FIFA World Cup Golden Ball trophies, making him the only player to win the award more than once.
With Argentina continuing their quest for another world title, Messi’s latest exploits at Kansas City Stadium have further strengthened his claim as one of the greatest players in World Cup history, even as he approaches the twilight of his illustrious international career.
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