Messi World Cup Record history moved to another level as Lionel Messi scored a hat trick in Argentina’s 3-0 win over Algeria.
The Argentina captain delivered one of the defining performances of the 2026 World Cup so far, scoring three times in Kansas City to move level with Germany great Miroslav Klose on 16 career World Cup goals.
Messi’s first World Cup hat trick came in Argentina’s opening match as defending champion. It also arrived only hours after Kylian Mbappé had briefly moved ahead of him on the tournament’s all-time scoring list with two goals for France against Senegal.
By the end of the night, Messi had passed Ronaldo Nazário, Gerd Müller and Mbappé on the list, while matching Klose’s long-standing record. He is now one goal away from becoming the outright leading scorer in World Cup history.
Messi World Cup Record Night Stuns Algeria
Messi opened the scoring in the 17th minute, giving Argentina control after Algeria had tried to disrupt the defending champions early.
The goal moved him level with Mbappé and Müller on 14 World Cup goals. But the night was only beginning.
In the second half, Messi added his second after reacting sharply to a rebound in the 60th minute. That strike took him to 15 World Cup goals, drawing him level with Brazil legend Ronaldo.
Then came the historic third. In the 76th minute, Messi finished from the top of the box to complete the hat trick and move to 16 World Cup goals.
The goal tied Klose’s all-time record and brought the stadium to its feet. Argentina soon substituted Messi, giving him a standing ovation after one of the most important individual performances of his international career.
Argentina Starts Title Defense in Command
Argentina’s 3-0 win was more than a Messi milestone. It was a strong opening statement from the reigning world champion.
The team played with control, patience and authority. Algeria had moments of pressure, but Argentina’s midfield and attack gradually took over the match.
Messi’s goals gave the scoreline its shape, but Argentina’s overall performance showed why the team remains one of the strongest contenders at the tournament.
The result also gives Argentina an early advantage in its group. Opening matches often carry pressure, especially for defending champions, but Argentina handled the occasion with confidence.
For Messi, the match added another chapter to a career already filled with historic moments. At 38, he continues to influence the biggest stage in football.
Mbappé Had Set the Challenge Earlier
The drama began earlier in the day when Mbappé scored twice in France’s 3-1 win over Senegal.
His goals moved him to 14 career World Cup goals and made him France’s all-time leading scorer. For a few hours, Mbappé had moved ahead of Messi in the World Cup scoring race.
That changed quickly once Argentina took the field.
Messi’s hat trick restored his position above Mbappé and placed him level with Klose. The two stars now sit at different points of the same historic race: Messi chasing the outright record in what may be his final World Cup, and Mbappé still young enough to challenge it for years.
A New Chapter in World Cup History
Messi’s achievement is remarkable because of its longevity.
He has now scored across multiple World Cups and remained decisive deep into his international career. Few players have been able to sustain that level of influence for so long.
The record also adds more weight to his legacy after Argentina’s 2022 World Cup triumph. That tournament gave Messi the trophy that had long escaped him. The 2026 edition is now giving him a chance to claim another historic mark.
Matching Klose does not make Messi the sole record holder yet. But it puts him one goal away from standing alone.
That distinction matters. Klose’s 16-goal mark has represented the peak of World Cup scoring for years. Messi has now reached it with a performance that felt less like a farewell and more like another statement.
What Comes Next for Messi and Argentina
Argentina’s next matches will carry even more attention now that Messi is on the edge of the outright record.
Every touch near goal will be watched. Every free kick, rebound and penalty will feel like a possible history-making moment.
For Argentina, the priority remains team success. The defending champions are trying to win another World Cup, not only celebrate individual records.
Still, Messi’s pursuit of the scoring record could become one of the central stories of the tournament. Mbappé is also close enough to keep pressure on the race, especially if France makes another deep run.
For now, Messi owns the moment. His hat trick against Algeria gave Argentina a perfect start, tied the most famous scoring record in World Cup history and reminded football that even near the end of his career, he can still bend the tournament around his name.
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