Lionel Messi added another remarkable chapter to his storied career on Tuesday night, scoring a historic hat-trick as Argentina defeated Algeria 3-0 to open their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign.
The victory was significant not only for the defending champions but also for Messi, whose three goals took his World Cup tally to 16, drawing level with German legend Miroslav Klose as the highest goalscorer in the history of the men’s tournament.
At 38, the Argentine captain also became the oldest player ever to score a hat-trick at a FIFA World Cup, further cementing his status as one of football’s greatest figures.
History Made on a Special Night
The match carried added significance even before kickoff.
Messi’s appearance marked his 200th international match for Argentina and made him the first footballer in history to feature in six FIFA World Cup tournaments.
The record extends beyond the previous benchmark of five World Cup appearances jointly held by Cristiano Ronaldo, Lothar Matthäus, Antonio Carbajal, Rafael Márquez and Andrés Guardado.
By the final whistle, however, the focus had shifted from appearances to goals.
Messi opened the scoring in the first half before adding two more after the break to complete the first World Cup hat-trick of his career.
The achievement came exactly 20 years after his World Cup debut for Argentina, when he announced himself on the global stage with a goal against Serbia and Montenegro.
Emotional Moment for Argentine Captain
Despite the celebrations, Messi revealed after the match that emotions overwhelmed him following his opening goal.
The Argentine captain was seen in tears during the celebrations and later disclosed that personal challenges in recent days had contributed to the emotional moment.
According to him, the support of teammates and members of the Argentine delegation helped him navigate a difficult period leading up to the tournament.
His performance on the pitch suggested little evidence of the fitness concerns that had surrounded him before the competition following a recent spell of muscle fatigue while playing for Inter Miami.
A Record Shared, For Now
While the football world celebrated Messi’s latest milestone, the Argentine star downplayed the significance of individual statistics.
He described it as an honour to be mentioned alongside legendary World Cup goalscorers such as Klose and Ronaldo Nazário but insisted that collective success remains his primary focus.
His comments reflected a recurring theme throughout his international career: placing team achievements above personal records.
Nevertheless, the numbers continue to tell an extraordinary story.
Messi is now tied with Klose on 16 World Cup goals and has also matched the German icon’s record of 17 World Cup victories.
He has scored in five different editions of the tournament and remains one of the central attractions of a World Cup already producing memorable moments.
Argentina Send Early Warning
Beyond the individual accolades, Argentina’s performance served as an early statement of intent in their quest to retain the World Cup title.
The South Americans controlled proceedings against Algeria and looked every bit like a side determined to defend the crown they won four years ago.
With Austria and Jordan still to come in the group stage, Argentina have positioned themselves strongly for progression to the knockout rounds.
For many observers, however, the bigger story remains Messi.
At an age when most footballers have long stepped away from the international stage, he continues to rewrite records, inspire teammates, and shape football history.
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