KANSAS CITY, Missouri — Lionel Messi delivered a reminder of his enduring brilliance, scoring a hat trick as defending champion Argentina opened its FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign with a commanding 3-0 victory over Algeria on Tuesday.
Playing in what is expected to be his final World Cup, the Argentine captain moved level with Germany’s Miroslav Klose as the men’s tournament’s all-time leading scorer with 16 goals.
The performance also strengthened Argentina’s bid to become the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to win back-to-back World Cup titles.
Messi opened the scoring early after being set up by Inter Miami teammate Rodrigo De Paul and appeared emotional as he celebrated, wiping tears from his face with his Argentina jersey.
“My tears after the first goal? I’ve had some tough days,” Messi said after the match. “I thank my teammates, the coaching staff and the delegation for helping me.”
The 38-year-old doubled Argentina’s lead shortly after halftime when he reacted quickest to a rebound before completing his first-ever World Cup hat trick with a clinical finish late in the match.
The final goal sparked another standing ovation from the crowd of more than 69,000 as Messi left the field after yet another memorable World Cup performance.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni was left searching for words.
“He’s incredible,” Scaloni said. “What can I say?”
The hat trick came exactly 20 years after Messi made his World Cup debut and scored against Serbia and Montenegro at the 2006 tournament.
Now appearing in a record sixth World Cup, Messi has scored in five different editions of the tournament and in five consecutive World Cup matches.
The performance also overshadowed impressive displays elsewhere on Tuesday, including two-goal outings by France star Kylian Mbappé and Norway striker Erling Haaland.
Messi entered the tournament carrying concerns over a recent hamstring issue but showed no signs of discomfort as he dictated play throughout the evening.
“This is my sixth World Cup and I still feel in good shape,” Messi said. “It’s important to start the tournament with a victory because that is never easy in a World Cup.”
The match also marked Messi’s 200th international appearance for Argentina, another milestone in a career that continues to redefine football greatness.
Argentina’s successful start puts the defending champions firmly on course for the knockout rounds as they pursue a historic second consecutive World Cup crown.
Source: Saudi Gazette