Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick against Algeria, bringing his World Cup total to 16, tying Miroslav Klose’s record at the age of 38.
Ronaldo Nazário, the Brazilian legend with 15 World Cup goals, praised Messi, stating, "If anyone deserves the title of the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history, it’s definitely Messi."
At 38, Messi made history as the oldest player to score a World Cup hat-trick and is set for his sixth tournament. His journey began in 2006, and he stands poised to break Klose's record with more matches ahead.
Nazário emphasized Messi’s greatness, urging recognition of him as the greatest player ever. Messi led Argentina to victory in the 2022 World Cup and holds the most Ballon d’Or awards.
As Argentina progresses, Messi's opportunity to claim the record outright remains alive. Nazário's endorsement adds significant weight to the ongoing GOAT debate in football history.