Lionel Messi kick-started his record sixth World Cup appearance with a sensational performance as Argentina routed Algeria in their Group I opener in Kansas City on the back of their talisman’s hat-trick on Tuesday night. Exactly 20 years since making his World Cup debut where he became Argentina’s youngest-ever World Cup scorer, Messi dazzled in his 200th international appearance, setting up a fiery start for the reigning world champions. Messi’s first goal came in the 17th minute, curling a left-footed shot past Algeria goalkeeper Luca Zidane (the son of French legend Zinedine Zidane) from open play outside the box. The second goal came in a canter, after a teammate took a shot at goal, Zidane could not collect it and ended up sending it back into to play where Messi was at hand to seal the goal with a tap in. ALSO READ | Messi, Messi, Messi: That familiar World Cup chant restarts after Argentina’s 3-0 win Messi netted a record hat-trick in the 76th minute, where he clinically finished off some good build up play from his teammates. Just over a minute after he had completed his first hat-trick in World Cup history, Messi was subbed off to a standing ovation. Three goals. One genius. Same old Messi magic. 🐐🇦🇷 Watch all 3 and tell me which one was your favorite. 👀✨ pic.twitter.com/0DcdJedVgJ — Tobs Futball (@futball_lover01) June 17, 2026 Records tumble The 38-year-old Messi edged out his long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo to become the oldest man to net a World Cup hat-trick. Ronaldo acheived the feat in 2018 at 33 years old. Messi also bagged his 11th hat-trick in the Argentine shirt, overhauling Ronaldo’s tally of 10 hat-tricks to record the most hat-trick in men’s international football. Moreover, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner also equalled Germany’s Miroslav Klose as the joint-highest scorer in World Cup history.Story continues below this ad Most international hat-tricks Player Span Hat-tricks Lionel Messi (Argentina) 2012–2026 11 Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal 2013–2021 10 Sven Rydell (Sweden) 1924–1932 9 Ali Mabkhout (UAE) 2012–2021 9 Poul Nielsen (Norway) 1913–1921 8 Gerd Müller (Germany) 1967–1972 8 Messi full list of international hat-tricks Messi’s latest hat-trick was the 61st hat-trick of his professional career, including club and country, five behind Ronaldo’s tally of 66 hat-tricks. Date Team Opposition Score Tournament Goals 29/02/2012 Argentina Switzerland 3-1 Friendly 3 09/06/2012 Argentina Brazil 4-3 Friendly 3 15/06/2013 Argentina Guatemala 4-0 Friendly 3 11/06/2016 Argentina Panama 5-0 Copa America 3 11/10/2017 Argentina Ecuador 3-1 World Cup Qualifier 3 30/05/2018 Argentina Haiti 4-0 Friendly 3 10/09/2021 Argentina Bolivia 3-0 World Cup Qualifier 3 05/06/2022 Argentina Estonia 5-0 Friendly 5 28/03/2023 Argentina Curacao 7-0 Friendly 3 15/10/2024 Argentina Bolivia 6-0 World Cup Qualifier 3 17/06/2026 Argentina Algeria 3-0 World Cup 2026 3
Most international hat-tricks: Messi surpasses Ronaldo in Argentina’s WC 2026 opener
