Lionel Messi delivered a masterclass performance Tuesday night, leading Argentina to a decisive 3-0 victory over Algeria in their opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Argentine captain scored all three goals, recording the first World Cup hat trick of his illustrious career.
The historic feat moved Messi into a tie with Germany’s Miroslav Klose for the most career goals in World Cup history. Emotions ran high as Messi broke down in tears following his first goal, later attributing the moment to personal challenges rather than football. He credited his teammates and coaching staff for their support during a difficult period.
Despite battling a hamstring injury that impacted his recent Major League Soccer season with Inter Miami, Messi appeared fully fit on the world stage. Now competing in his sixth World Cup, he emphasized the importance of securing an early tournament victory and expressed gratitude for his continued physical condition after two decades of elite competition.
Messi’s dominance drew immediate recognition from fellow sporting icons, including Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who publicly celebrated the achievement. Having already led Argentina to the 2022 title, Messi described this current campaign as the pinnacle of his journey, expressing profound happiness and appreciation for his national team squad.