“Messi matches Klose as the top scorer in World Cup history.”

Lionel Messi once again shook the football world by becoming the first player to achieve a hat-trick in the 2026 World Cup, equalling the legendary Miroslav Klose as the all-time top scorer in World Cup finals with 16 goals. At Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, the Argentine captain not only wrote another golden chapter in his career but also shed some tears of emotion after a challenging few weeks off the pitch, revealing a human side rarely seen at this level of competition.

The match, counting for the first round of Group J, pitted world champions Argentina against Algeria, with the result concluding at 3-0, thanks to three goals from Messi (in the 17th, 60th, and 76th minutes). The Inter Miami star reached the impressive milestone of 200 games for the Pampas national team, accumulating 120 international goals, and solidified his position at the top of the hierarchy of world football, equaling the German Klose and leaving behind names such as Ronaldo Nazário, Gerd Müller, and Kylian Mbappé, the latter who also scored in France’s debut in this World Cup.

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This achievement is particularly significant for several reasons. Firstly, Messi has become the first player to participate in six different World Cup editions, setting a new record for longevity and consistency at the highest level, with 27 matches played in the tournament. Furthermore, he established the longest gap between the first and last goals scored by any footballer in World Cups, in an international career that began precisely 20 years ago, with a goal against what was then Serbia and Montenegro in the 2006 World Cup.

The importance of this moment goes far beyond the numbers. Argentina began their title defense with a solid and galvanizing performance, demonstrating that Lionel Scaloni’s team remains a contender for ultimate victory. Messi himself, on the verge of celebrating his 39th birthday, proved he has recovered from his left thigh injury and showed he is capable of leading a squad full of talent and ambition once again. This victory also serves as a warning to rival teams: Argentina is ready to fight for the renewal of the title, with their captain in great form.

At the end of the match, Messi opened his heart and explained what lay behind his emotion: “It’s something completely unrelated to sport. I went through some tough days, but I am grateful to the entire team and my teammates, because they were always by my side and gave me a lot of strength to overcome this,” shared the forward, visibly emotional in the mixed zone. Reflecting on his journey, Messi added: “As a child, I never imagined I would experience everything I have. This is a blessing. I have achieved everything and more, and I am really enjoying being part of a wonderful group, feeling good on the pitch, just as I always liked.” The statements from the record-holder of Ballon d’Ors demonstrate the emotional weight of this moment and the unity of the Argentine group.

The Argentine was also asked about his longevity and the secret to his motivation. Messi did not hesitate to compare himself to another legend of world sport, Rafael Nadal: “I love playing football; it has been my passion since I was little. When I’m well, I give my all. We have seen Rafael Nadal’s series, and I identify a lot with that. We are similar in this: I always want to give my best and feel good. That’s how I enjoy it,” said the star, reinforcing his commitment to excellence.

From a tactical point of view, Messi analyzed the team’s performance and emphasized the competitiveness of this World Cup edition: “Fortunately, I feel good, and we managed to win. It’s important to start winning because the first match is never easy, and we had a tough opponent ahead. The first half was quite challenging for us, but then we made the difference. Our group is more united than ever and strong. We compete, we want more, and we will fight. The competition is fierce; all teams are well-prepared, and the matches will be dynamic and intense,” assessed the Argentine captain.

The projection for the upcoming matches is clear: Messi remains the biggest reference for this Argentina team and once again puts pressure on Cristiano Ronaldo, who previously held the record of scoring in five consecutive World Cups and being the oldest player to score a hat-trick in the competition at the age of 33. Now, Messi has surpassed that record and may continue to break more, while Argentina sets its sights on the next game, where it will seek to confirm its status as favorites and consolidate its lead in the group. The football world is once again witnessing Lionel Messi redefining the limits of history.

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