Lionel Messi scores hat-trick, equals Miroslav Klose's all-time World Cup goals record
Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick to take his World Cup tally to 16 goals, drawing level with German legend Miroslav Klose at the top of the tournament's all-time scoring charts.
Lionel Messi became the first player in men's football history to appear at six FIFA World Cups and marked the occasion with a stunning goal as Argentina began their title defence against Algeria in a Group J clash in Kansas City on Tuesday.
Argentina vs Algeria, FIFA World Cup 2026: UPDATES
The Argentina captain broke the deadlock in the 17th minute after a frenetic opening that saw both sides have goals ruled out. Alexis Mac Allister threaded a perfectly weighted pass through the Algerian defence and Messi timed his run brilliantly before curling a left-footed effort beyond goalkeeper Luca Zidane and into the top corner.
The goal carried multiple milestones. Messi became both Argentina's youngest and oldest World Cup goalscorer, underlining the extraordinary longevity of a player who continues to shape football history two decades after his tournament debut.
The strike was also his 14th World Cup goal, drawing him level with Kylian Mbappe and Germany great Gerd Muller in third place on the all-time scoring charts. Only Ronaldo Nazario (15) and Miroslav Klose (16) remained ahead at that stage.
Messi was not done.
He doubled Argentina's advantage in the 60th minute after reacting quickest to a rebound before completing his first World Cup hat-trick with a clinical finish from the edge of the box in the 77th minute.
The treble took his World Cup tally to 16 goals, drawing him level with Klose at the top of the tournament's all-time scoring list.
Messi's opener also saw him equal Brazilian legend Rivelino's record of five World Cup goals from outside the penalty area, the joint-most by any player since 1966.
His World Cup goalscoring journey now spans 20 years. Messi opened his account as a 19-year-old against Serbia and Montenegro in Germany in 2006, endured a scoreless campaign in South Africa four years later, scored four times while leading Argentina to the 2014 final in Brazil and added one goal in Russia in 2018.
He finally achieved football's ultimate prize in Qatar in 2022, scoring seven goals, including two in the dramatic final against France, as Argentina lifted the World Cup for the first time since 1986.
Many expected that triumph to bring the curtain down on his World Cup career. Instead, Messi returned for one final campaign and became the first male player to feature in six FIFA World Cups.
Twenty years after his World Cup debut, the 39-year-old continues to redefine what is possible. On a night filled with records and milestones, Messi delivered yet another unforgettable performance, equalling Klose's all-time World Cup scoring record and reinforcing his status as one of the greatest players the game has ever seen.
FIFA World Cup | FIFA World Cup Schedule | FIFA World Cup Points Table | Football News
Lionel Messi became the first player in men's football history to appear at six FIFA World Cups and marked the occasion with a stunning goal as Argentina began their title defence against Algeria in a Group J clash in Kansas City on Tuesday.
Argentina vs Algeria, FIFA World Cup 2026: UPDATES
The Argentina captain broke the deadlock in the 17th minute after a frenetic opening that saw both sides have goals ruled out. Alexis Mac Allister threaded a perfectly weighted pass through the Algerian defence and Messi timed his run brilliantly before curling a left-footed effort beyond goalkeeper Luca Zidane and into the top corner.
The goal carried multiple milestones. Messi became both Argentina's youngest and oldest World Cup goalscorer, underlining the extraordinary longevity of a player who continues to shape football history two decades after his tournament debut.
The strike was also his 14th World Cup goal, drawing him level with Kylian Mbappe and Germany great Gerd Muller in third place on the all-time scoring charts. Only Ronaldo Nazario (15) and Miroslav Klose (16) remained ahead at that stage.
Messi was not done.
He doubled Argentina's advantage in the 60th minute after reacting quickest to a rebound before completing his first World Cup hat-trick with a clinical finish from the edge of the box in the 77th minute.
The treble took his World Cup tally to 16 goals, drawing him level with Klose at the top of the tournament's all-time scoring list.
Messi's opener also saw him equal Brazilian legend Rivelino's record of five World Cup goals from outside the penalty area, the joint-most by any player since 1966.
His World Cup goalscoring journey now spans 20 years. Messi opened his account as a 19-year-old against Serbia and Montenegro in Germany in 2006, endured a scoreless campaign in South Africa four years later, scored four times while leading Argentina to the 2014 final in Brazil and added one goal in Russia in 2018.
He finally achieved football's ultimate prize in Qatar in 2022, scoring seven goals, including two in the dramatic final against France, as Argentina lifted the World Cup for the first time since 1986.
Many expected that triumph to bring the curtain down on his World Cup career. Instead, Messi returned for one final campaign and became the first male player to feature in six FIFA World Cups.
Twenty years after his World Cup debut, the 39-year-old continues to redefine what is possible. On a night filled with records and milestones, Messi delivered yet another unforgettable performance, equalling Klose's all-time World Cup scoring record and reinforcing his status as one of the greatest players the game has ever seen.
FIFA World Cup | FIFA World Cup Schedule | FIFA World Cup Points Table | Football News
