Argentina launched their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign in dominant fashion, defeating Algeria 3-0 in their opening group-stage match on Wednesday. As expected, the spotlight belonged to Lionel Messi, who delivered a sensational hat-trick to guide the reigning world champions to a comfortable victory.
At 38 years old, many wondered whether Messi could still produce the magic that has defined his legendary career. The Argentine captain answered those questions emphatically, producing a masterclass performance that not only secured three crucial points for Argentina but also rewrote several pages of World Cup history.
The Inter Miami star proved once again that age is merely a number when it comes to football greatness. His three-goal display placed him alongside some of the tournament’s greatest legends while simultaneously setting new records that may stand for years to come.
Messi Equals Miroslav Klose’s All-Time World Cup Scoring Record
The most significant milestone of the evening arrived with Messi’s third goal against Algeria.
That strike took his career World Cup tally to 16 goals, allowing him to equal the long-standing record held by German legend Miroslav Klose, who previously stood alone as the tournament’s all-time leading scorer.
All-Time World Cup Goalscorers
- Lionel Messi (Argentina) – 16 goals
- Miroslav Klose (Germany) – 16 goals
- Ronaldo Nazário (Brazil) – 15 goals
- Gerd Müller (Germany) – 14 goals
- Kylian Mbappé (France) – 14 goals
With the 2026 World Cup only just beginning, Messi now needs just one more goal to become the outright highest scorer in World Cup history.
Considering his current form and Argentina’s ambitions of defending their title, the possibility of him breaking Klose’s record appears increasingly realistic.
Oldest Player Ever to Score a World Cup Hat-Trick
Messi’s performance against Algeria was historic for another reason.
By scoring three goals at the age of 38 years and 357 days, he became the oldest player ever to record a hat-trick in a FIFA World Cup match.
The previous record belonged to Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored a famous hat-trick against Spain at the 2018 World Cup when he was 33 years and 130 days old.
The achievement further highlights Messi’s remarkable longevity and his ability to remain decisive at the highest level of international football despite approaching his 39th birthday.
For many players, reaching their late thirties signals the end of their impact on elite competition. Messi, however, continues to produce performances worthy of his legendary status.
A Landmark 200th Appearance for Argentina
The match against Algeria was already a special occasion before kickoff.
It marked Messi’s 200th appearance for the Argentina national team, a milestone that very few players in international football history have reached.
Instead of simply celebrating the occasion, Messi turned it into one of the most memorable performances of his international career.
Scoring a hat-trick in such a landmark match added yet another chapter to a story that has become synonymous with Argentine football excellence.
First Argentine to Score in Five Consecutive World Cup Matches
Messi also established another remarkable record during the victory.
The Argentine captain became the first player in Argentina’s history to score in five consecutive World Cup matches.
In doing so, he surpassed previous national records held by Hernán Crespo and Guillermo Stábile, both of whom had scored in four straight World Cup games.
The streak demonstrates not only Messi’s consistency but also his ability to deliver in the biggest moments across multiple stages of the tournament.
Another Hat-Trick Added to a Legendary Career
The three goals against Algeria represented Messi’s 11th hat-trick for Argentina.
Across his entire professional career, including both club and international football, the hat-trick was his 61st career treble, an astonishing figure that reflects his sustained brilliance over more than two decades.
Few players in football history have maintained such extraordinary productivity for so long.
Whether playing for Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Miami, or Argentina, Messi has consistently found ways to dominate matches and break records.
Still Argentina’s Most Important Player
Despite being in the latter stages of his career, Messi remains the heartbeat of Lionel Scaloni’s squad.
His influence on Argentina’s recent World Cup performances is reflected in the numbers.
Across his last five World Cup appearances, Messi has been directly involved in 10 goals, recording:
- 8 goals
- 2 assists
Even more impressively, 10 of his 16 World Cup goals have been scored after turning 35, underlining his exceptional longevity and continued ability to perform on football’s biggest stage.
Far from slowing down, Messi appears as influential as ever.
Lionel Scaloni Left Speechless by Messi’s Brilliance
Following the match, Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni struggled to find the words to describe his captain’s latest masterpiece.
The World Cup-winning manager praised Messi’s continued excellence and highlighted the enormous impact he still has on the team.
“I’m running out of words for Leo,” Scaloni told TyC Sports after the match.
“He has been doing extraordinary things for over 20 years. What he continues to do and contribute to this team is simply incredible.”
Scaloni also emphasized that Messi remains Argentina’s driving force whenever he steps onto the field.
“Beyond scoring three goals, he carries this team on his shoulders. As long as he wants to keep playing, he will remain the best.”
The coach concluded by expressing admiration for Messi’s ability to perform at such a high level despite nearing 39 years of age.
“It’s emotional to watch him play. Not only for Argentina, but for anyone who loves football. What he’s doing at this age is difficult to explain.”
Messi’s Legacy Continues to Grow
Every World Cup seems to add another unforgettable chapter to Lionel Messi’s legendary career.
Against Algeria, he did far more than score three goals. He equaled the all-time World Cup scoring record, became the oldest player ever to score a World Cup hat-trick, celebrated his 200th Argentina appearance in style, and strengthened his reputation as one of the greatest footballers the sport has ever seen.
With Argentina aiming to retain their world title and Messi still performing at an elite level, football fans around the globe may witness even more history in the coming weeks.
And if he scores just once more, Lionel Messi will stand alone as the greatest goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history—a fitting achievement for a player who has already conquered nearly every record imaginable.
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