Lionel Messi produced a breathtaking display as Argentina defeated Algeria in their opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup tournament.
The Argentine captain scored his first-ever World Cup hat-trick, reminding supporters worldwide why he remains among football’s greatest talents today.
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Messi’s historic performance came exactly twenty years after his World Cup debut, making the achievement even more memorable globally.
His three goals took his overall World Cup tally to sixteen, equalling the long-standing tournament record set previously.
His remarkable display also placed Argentina in a strong position as they began their title defence with confidence.
Messi Breaks Multiple World Cup Records
That record is currently shared with German legend Miroslav Klose, though Messi now needs only one more goal.
At thirty-eight years old, Messi also became Argentina’s oldest scorer in World Cup history, adding another remarkable milestone.
He already held the distinction of being Argentina’s youngest World Cup goalscorer after scoring during the 2006 tournament.
The Algeria match also confirmed Messi as the first player ever to appear in six FIFA World Cups, reports Sports NDTV.
Having represented Argentina continuously since 2006, he achieved a feat unmatched by any footballer before him.
Argentina Eye More History
Messi further entered the history books by becoming the oldest player ever to score a World Cup hat-trick.
The previous record belonged to Cristiano Ronaldo, adding another chapter to their famous rivalry.
His latest goals also extended an extraordinary scoring record across five separate World Cup tournaments throughout his career.
Argentina hope to become the first nation since Brazil national football team to successfully defend a World Cup title.
If Messi maintains this level of form, Argentina’s chances of creating more history will undoubtedly increase significantly.
