Messi Magic: Argentina Captain Scores First Hat Trick of World Cup 2026 in 3-0 Rout of Algeria.

KANSAS CITY, MO, June 16, 2026* – Lionel Messi proved he’s not done rewriting history yet.

At 38 years old, the Argentina captain became the first player to score a hat trick at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, firing all three goals as the defending champions opened their title defense with a ruthless 3-0 win over Algeria at Kansas City Stadium.

With the treble, Messi moved to 16 World Cup goals — level with Germany’s Miroslav Klose as the tournament’s all-time joint top scorer. One more, and the record is his alone.

For 28 minutes, Algeria frustrated Argentina. Then Messi happened.

Receiving the ball 25 yards out, he shifted past two defenders and curled a trademark left-footed strike into the top corner. 1-0. The 76,416 crowd erupted.

Goal two came in the 54th minute. Julian Alvarez pressed high, won the ball, and slipped Messi in. The Inter Miami star didn’t break stride, slotting calmly past Anthony Mandrea for 2-0.

The hat trick was completed in the 78th minute. Enzo Fernandez’s corner was cleared only as far as Messi, lurking on the edge of the box. One touch to set, one to finish. 3-0. History.

Chasing Klose, Chasing Immortality

The hat trick takes Messi to 16 World Cup goals across 5 tournaments, tying Klose’s record set between 2002-2014.

He’s now scored in 11 different World Cup matches, another record. At 38 years and 11 months, he’s also the oldest player to score a World Cup hat trick, breaking Cristiano Ronaldo’s mark from 2018.

“I feel very happy to start this way,” Messi said post-match. “But the most important thing is that the team won and we played well. Records are nice, but the World Cup is the dream.”

Argentina dominated from the first whistle. Algeria sat deep, but Messi’s 28th-minute opener broke their resistance. Two second-half goals followed as Lionel Scaloni’s men cruised.

The win puts Argentina top of Group C after matchday one. They face Austria next on June 21. Algeria play Jordan.

Messi vs Haaland: The Golden Boot Race Begins.

Hours earlier, Erling Haaland scored twice on his World Cup debut as Norway beat Iraq 4-1. The Norwegian “Goal Machine” has 12 goals in World Cup qualifying + finals combined, leading all Europeans.

But Messi answered with three. The 2022 Golden Boot winner now leads the 2026 race outright. At 38, his movement looked sharp, his finishing ruthless.

“Don’t talk to me about age,” Mbappe once said. Messi might borrow that line. He now has 112 Argentina goals in 189 caps. He’s won a World Cup, 2 Copa Americas, and 8 Ballon d’Ors. Yet he’s still chasing more.

Messi arrived in the U.S. with questions about his legs and his motivation after moving to MLS. Ninety minutes in Kansas City answered both.

With Angel Di Maria retired and Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez in their prime, Argentina don’t need Messi to do it all. But when he does, they’re nearly unbeatable.

Klose’s record has stood since 2014. Messi can break it in the group stage. He can also become the first man to score in 6 World Cups if Argentina reach 2030.

It was supposed to be Mbappe’s tournament. Haaland’s coming-out party. Instead, Day 6 of World Cup 2026 belonged to the oldest man on the pitch.

Messi didn’t just score the first hat trick of 2026. He reminded the world that greatness doesn’t retire. It just waits for the biggest stage.

France’s Kylian Mbappe scored twice vs Senegal to become France’s all-time top scorer with 58 goals. But Messi scored three. The GOAT debate rages on. The record book now says: Messi 16, Klose 16, Mbappe 14.

One more goal, and there’s no debate left.