Argentina's Lionel Messi (10) celebrates after scoring the opening goal against Algeria. | Photo Credit: AP

Argentina’s Lionel Messi recorded the first FIFA World Cup hat-trick of his career after scoring three goals against Algeria in Kansas City on Wednesday.

With the treble, Messi, at 38 years and 357 days old, also became the oldest player to score a World Cup hat-trick, breaking Cristiano Ronaldo’s record.

Ronaldo was 33 years and 122 days old when he scored a hat-trick against Spain in a 2018 group-stage match.

Against Algeria, Messi opened the scoring with a long-range strike in the 17th minute. He then found the net by poking in a rebound in the 60th minute.

He completed the hat-trick in the 76th minute with a left-footed drive from the edge of the box. The goal also drew him level with Germany’s Miroslav Klose for the most goals in FIFA World Cup history.

It was Messi’s 11th hat-trick in international football.

Published on Jun 17, 2026