Lionel Messi announced himself in spectacular fashion at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, delivering a masterclass performance as Argentina cruised to a dominant victory over Algeria.
The Argentine captain stole the spotlight with a brilliant hat trick that not only inspired his team to an emphatic win but also saw him draw level with German legend Miroslav Klose on 16 World Cup goals, placing him among the competition’s greatest scorers of all time.
At 38, Messi also etched his name deeper into football history by becoming the oldest player ever to score more than once in a World Cup match, surpassing the long standing record previously held by Roger Milla.
While Argentina enjoyed strong performances from Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister and Rodrigo De Paul, the evening belonged entirely to Messi. The football icon produced three memorable goals in a display that will be remembered for years to come, recording the 61st hat trick of his remarkable career.
His opening goal came after a superb pass from De Paul split the Algerian defence. Messi timed his run perfectly before calmly placing his effort beyond goalkeeper Luca Zidane, the son of French football great Zinedine Zidane.
The second arrived shortly after the restart when Messi reacted quickest to turn home a loose ball after Mac Allister’s effort had been saved.
He completed his hat trick in style with a trademark strike from the edge of the penalty area. The low curling effort bent beyond the goalkeeper and into the net, providing the perfect finish to a night that once again highlighted his extraordinary talent.
With the tournament still in its early stages, Messi has already sent a strong message to the rest of the world, proving that age remains no barrier to greatness as he continues to lead Argentina’s charge on football’s biggest stage.
