Lionel Messi delivered another unforgettable World Cup night, scoring a historic hat-trick as Argentina beat Algeria 3-0 and began their title defence in perfect fashion.
But this was not just another Messi masterclass. With his three goals, the Argentina captain reached 16 career World Cup goals, overtaking Ronaldo Nazário and joining Miroslav Klose as the joint all-time leading scorer in men’s World Cup history.
At 38 years old, Messi is still shaping the biggest stage in football. For Argentina, this was the perfect start. For Messi, it was another chapter in a career that continues to move beyond normal sporting limits.
Messi Hat-Trick Sends Argentina Past Algeria
Argentina opened their 2026 World Cup campaign with a confident 3-0 win over Algeria, and Messi was once again the centre of everything.
The Inter Miami forward scored all three goals, showing the same timing, control and finishing quality that have defined his career for almost two decades. Algeria had moments in the match, but once Messi found space, Argentina’s quality became too much to handle.
For the defending champions, this was exactly the kind of performance they needed in their opening group-stage match. Argentina looked composed, experienced and dangerous — and Messi looked ready to lead one more World Cup run.
Messi Overtakes Ronaldo Nazário and Equals Klose
The biggest story of the night was the record. Messi’s hat-trick moved him to 16 goals in World Cup history.
That means he has now passed Brazil legend Ronaldo Nazário, who scored 15 World Cup goals, and has moved level with Germany’s Miroslav Klose at the top of the men’s all-time World Cup scoring list.
This makes Messi’s achievement even more remarkable. For years, Klose’s record looked extremely difficult to reach. Ronaldo’s 15-goal mark was also one of the most iconic records in tournament history. Messi has now moved beyond one legend and caught another.
Why This Hat-Trick Matters So Much
Messi has won almost everything possible in football, but this performance still matters because of the timing and the stage.
He is no longer the young superstar carrying Argentina’s hopes for the first time. He is a World Cup winner, a veteran leader and still the player capable of deciding matches at the highest level.
Scoring a hat-trick in a World Cup opener would be huge for any player. Doing it while equalling the all-time goals record makes it one of the most important individual performances of the tournament so far.
Can Messi Break the Record Alone?
Messi is now level with Klose, but the next question is even bigger: can he become the outright top scorer in World Cup history?
Argentina still have more group-stage matches to play, which means Messi could break the record very soon. One more goal would move him clear of Klose and give him one of the most prestigious individual records in international football.
That possibility will now follow every Argentina match. Every free-kick, penalty, counter-attack and Messi touch near the box will carry extra weight.
Argentina’s Title Defence Starts With a Statement
Beyond the individual record, this result was also a major statement from Argentina.
Defending a World Cup title is never easy. Teams study you more closely, pressure increases and every opponent treats the match like a final. But Argentina started with control, confidence and a clear attacking identity.
Messi’s performance will take most of the attention, but the bigger message is simple: Argentina are still one of the teams to beat.
A Historic Night for Lionel Messi
This was more than a hat-trick. It was a record-equalling performance from one of the greatest players football has ever seen.
Messi has now overtaken Ronaldo Nazário, matched Miroslav Klose and placed himself one goal away from standing alone as the greatest goalscorer in World Cup history.
For Argentina, the dream of another title has started strongly. For Messi, the final chapters of his World Cup story may still have something historic left to deliver.