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Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick in Argentina's 3-0 victory over Algeria at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, equalling Miroslav Klose's all-time World Cup scoring record of 16 goals. The 38-year-old also became the oldest player to score a hat-trick in World Cup history. Messi now holds multiple World Cup records, including most appearances, goals in every stage of a single tournament, and scoring against eleven different national teams.
Lionel Messi’s hat-trick in Argentina’s 3-0 victory over Algeria at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Wednesday further strengthened his record in football’s biggest tournament.
The Argentina and Inter Miami captain equalled Miroslav Klose’s all-time World Cup scoring record of 16 goals and matched the German’s tally of 17 World Cup victories. Messi is now the only player in World Cup history to have scored against eleven different national teams. He surpassed the previous mark of ten held by Brazil’s Ronaldo Nazário and Germany’s Jürgen Klinsmann.
Magical Messi equals World Cup scoring record with hat-trick in Argentina win At 38 years and 357 days old, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner became the oldest player to score a hat-trick in World Cup history, surpassing Cristiano Ronaldo, who achieved the feat at 33 years and 130 days against Spain in 2018. Here is the full rundown of the major World Cup records Messi already owns and those he continues to chase, according to FIFA on Wednesday.
Argentina’s all-time leading World Cup scorer, ahead of Gabriel Batistuta , Diego Maradona , Guillermo Stabile , Mario Kempes and Gonzalo Higuain . Six long-range goals — Now holds the outright record, having surpassed Brazil’s Rivellino . His strikes from distance came against Bosnia and Herzegovina, IR Iran and Nigeria , Mexico , and two against Algeria .
First and latest World Cup goals exactly 20 years apart — A record span. Cristiano Ronaldo’s longest gap stands at 16 years and 160 days. Only player to score in every stage of a single World Cup . Played in six World Cup editions — The only player to do so.
Ronaldo is set to equal the mark on 17 June. 27 World Cup appearances and counting — Broke Lothar Matthäus’s record in the 2022 final; on track to become the first to reach 30. Assists, Creativity & Overall Impact Registered an assist in five different World Cups — Unique achievement. Pelé, Grzegorz Lato, Maradona and David Beckham managed it in three each.
Dribbling & Individual Awards46 dribbles at Brazil 2014 rank as the third-highest in a single tournament . 12 Player of the Match awards — Record total since the award’s introduction in 2002. His four in 2014 remain a single-tournament record .
Messi’s latest exploits at the Kansas City Stadium reinforce his status as one of the greatest players in World Cup history, even as he enters the twilight of his international career. Saheed is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with over two years of experience covering metro, technology, sports, politics, and human-interest stories. He focuses on producing clear, engaging reports across diverse beats. Saheed’s work reflects hands-on newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate and balanced journalism.
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Messi World Cup Argentina Hat-Trick Record FIFA Algeria Scoring Klose
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