Messi’s goal tally for Argentina ticked to 120 on Tuesday. | Photo Credit: AFP

Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick on Tuesday during Argentina’s FIFA World Cup 2026 Group J match against Algeria in Kansas City.

This took Messi’s tally to 16 goals in the World Cup, bringing him level with Germany’s Miroslav Klose. Earlier in the day, France’s Kylian Mbappe had scored two goals against Senegal to move one ahead of Messi, who started the day at 13 goals.

But two long-range hits and a goal from up close off a deflection ensured Messi in the lead again. With his haul on Tuesday night, Messi moved to 120 international goals and closed in on Cristiano Ronaldo’s tally of 143 goals.

Apart from his three goals in this edition, Messi scored seven goals during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, one goal in the 2018 World Cup, four goals in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and one goal in the 2006 edition.

He also became the oldest player to score for La Albiceleste as he completed his first hat-trick at the World Cup.

Published on Jun 17, 2026