RismadarVoice Reporters, June 17, 2026
Lionel Messi delivered a masterclass performance on Tuesday night, scoring his first-ever FIFA World Cup hat-trick to lead Argentina to a commanding 3-0 victory over Algeria and equal the tournament’s all-time scoring record.
The Argentine captain found the net three times in Kansas City, taking his World Cup tally to 16 goals and drawing level with German legend Miroslav Klose as the competition’s joint-highest scorer.
Messi opened the scoring early in the match and appeared visibly emotional during his celebration. The 39-year-old later revealed that the tears were linked to personal challenges he had recently faced rather than football-related matters.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner doubled Argentina’s advantage shortly after halftime before completing his hat-trick late in the game, earning a standing ovation from thousands of supporters inside the stadium.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni praised his captain’s display, describing Messi as a unique player whose impact continues to inspire the team.
The hat-trick came exactly 20 years after Messi made his World Cup debut for Argentina against Serbia and Montenegro, a match in which he also scored. The achievement makes him only the second player to score in five different editions of the World Cup.
In addition to matching Klose’s record, Messi registered the 61st hat-trick of his professional career and extended his remarkable scoring streak to five consecutive World Cup matches.
The Inter Miami forward had entered the tournament amid concerns over a recent hamstring issue, but showed no signs of discomfort as he dictated play and spearheaded Argentina’s attack throughout the contest.
Speaking after the victory, Messi expressed gratitude for his teammates and coaching staff, saying he continues to enjoy every moment of representing his country on football’s biggest stage.
The Argentine star also reached another significant milestone, making the 200th appearance of his international career. Only Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Kuwait’s Bader Al-Mutawa have recorded more senior international appearances.
Elsewhere in the tournament, France forward Kylian Mbappé scored twice in his nation’s 3-1 win over Senegal, while Norway’s Erling Haaland netted a brace in a 4-1 victory against Iraq. However, Messi’s historic performance dominated global headlines.
The World Cup holders arrived in Kansas City with strong support from fans, many of whom packed the stadium wearing the iconic No. 10 jersey. Their celebrations continued long after the final whistle as Argentina impressively began its title defence.
With the tournament still in its early stages, Messi now has the opportunity to surpass Klose’s scoring record and further strengthen his legacy as one of football’s greatest players.
