In a blockbuster Group J opener at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, defending champions Argentina cruised past Algeria 3–0, led by a sensational hat-trick from captain Lionel Messi. The performance not only propelled La Albiceleste to a winning start but also rewrote the World Cup record books—prompting none other than Brazilian icon Ronaldo Nazário to declare that the debate over football’s greatest should finally be put to rest.
A Night of Historic Milestones in Kansas City
Before a sold-out crowd of 69,250 at Kansas City’s Arrowhead Stadium on June 16, Messi delivered a masterclass in his 200th appearance for Argentina. He nearly opened the scoring in the 5th minute with a deft finish, but the goal was ruled out for offside. Undeterred, he broke the deadlock in the 17th minute with a thunderous strike from the edge of the box after a clever pass from Rodrigo De Paul.
Just after the hour mark, Messi doubled the lead by pouncing on a rebound from Alexis Mac Allister’s long-range effort that Algeria goalkeeper Luca Zidane—son of French legend Zinédine Zidane—could only parry. He completed his treble in the 76th minute, curling home another precise shot from outside the area following a cutback from Nicolás González.
Tying Klose and Breaking New Ground
The three goals took Messi’s World Cup tally to 16, equaling the all-time record held by Germany’s Miroslav Klose. In doing so, he surpassed Ronaldo Nazário (15), who had been second on the list. At 38 years and 357 days, Messi also became the oldest player ever to score a World Cup hat-trick—surpassing Cristiano Ronaldo’s mark of 33 years and 122 days set in 2018.
It was Messi’s first World Cup hat-trick, his 61st career hat-trick overall, and his 11th for Argentina. He also etched his name into the record books as the first player to appear in six different World Cup tournaments, the only man to score in the tournament in his teens, 20s, 30s, and 40s, and the sole player to register assists in five separate World Cups.
Ronaldo’s Graceful Tribute
Speaking after the match, Ronaldo—the man whose record Messi surpassed—offered a generous and emphatic endorsement:
“It is time for the world to stop hiding and accept the fact that he is the greatest player of all time. He keeps performing season after season, and he does it on the biggest stage—the World Cup. This is an unforgettable and historic night that will go down in the books forever. Records are made to be broken, and the person who breaks them surprises no football fan.”
The Brazilian legend added that Argentina’s status as defending champions only magnifies Messi’s continued excellence, and that any lingering doubts about his legacy should now be silenced.
Messi: “Records Are Just Numbers”
Ever humble, Messi downplayed his individual achievements in the post-match interview: “Records are ultimately just numbers. I’ve always said that Ronaldo [Nazário] is one of the greatest players ever.” Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni was more effusive: “I have no words for Leo. He is unbelievable.”
Messi was substituted in the 80th minute to a standing ovation from both sets of fans. With the victory, Argentina tops Group J and will face Austria on June 22 as they begin their quest for a successful title defense.
