Argentina captain, Lionel Messi, announced his arrival at the 2026 World Cup with a stunning hat-trick against Algeria.
His treble ensured he drew level in the all-time scoring charts with Germany’s Miroslav Klose on 16 tournament goals.
Messi also became the the oldest player to score multiple times in a World Cup match, surpassing Roger Milla’s record.
The 38-year-old was ably supported by Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister and club team-mate Rodrigo De Paul, but the night firmly belonged to him as he scored a trio of epic goals in a display that will be talked about for decades. His 61st career hat-trick.
The first was engineered by De Paul, delivering a cutting through ball to Messi in the pocket, and he shaped a lovely strike beyond Luca Zidane – son of France legend Zinedine Zidane.
The second arrived early in the second half, turning home a parried effort from Mac Allister, before the third from the edge of the area, a low, bending strike, gave him his crowning moment.
