Lionel Messi etched his name even deeper into football history with a remarkable hat-trick that electrified Kansas City Stadium. The 38-year-old achieved the feat as Argentina launched their FIFA World Cup title defence in emphatic fashion with a commanding victory over Algeria on 16 June 2026.
The Argentina captain produced a masterclass on his landmark 200th international appearance, becoming the joint-leading goalscorer in World Cup finals history. His three goals took his overall tally at the tournament to 16, drawing level with former Germany striker Miroslav Klose at the top of the all-time scoring charts.