Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring the opening goal against Algeria. | Photo Credit: AP

Lionel Messi delivered his first World Cup hat trick on Tuesday night, giving thousands of Argentina fans packed inside Arrowhead Stadium for a match against Algeria a moment they will never forget.

Messi scored his first goal in the opening minutes off a nifty feed from Inter Miami teammate Rodrigo De Paul, the second early in the second half, and the third moments before subbing out to a standing ovation.

The goals came 20 years to the day that Messi made his World Cup debut for Argentina in a match against Serbia and Montenegro.

Messi’s hat trick also upstaged Kylian Mbappé of France and Erling Haaland of Norway, who had scored twice each earlier in the day.

FULL LIST OF RECORDS BROKEN BY MESSI DURING ARGENTINA vs ALGERIA:

Oldest player to score World Cup hat-trick

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

Youngest and oldest Argentine to score a World Cup goal

Messi is now simultaneously the oldest and youngest to score for Argentina in the World Cup. He found the net in 2006 against Serbia and Montenegro as an 18-year-old.

Most goals in FIFA World Cups

After his hat-trick against Algeria, Messi’s World Cup tally swelled to 16 goals, bringing him level with Germany’s Miroslav Klose for most goals in the tournament.

Second player to score in five World Cups

Messi became the second player to score in five World Cups, after Ronaldo. Messi has found the net in 2006, 2014, 2018, 2022 and 2026.

First player to play in six World Cups

Messi also became the first player to play in six World Cups. He has featured in all tournaments starting from 2006.

Third player to reach 200 international appearances

Messi’s appearance against Algeria was his 200th in international football. Only Ronaldo (228) and Kuwait’s Bader Al-Mutawa (202) have more.

Published on Jun 17, 2026