Lionel Messi has spent almost twenty years rewriting soccer historical past.
On the opening day of Argentina’s 2026 FIFA World Cup marketing campaign, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner added one other outstanding chapter to his legacy, scoring a hat-trick to change into the joint-highest goalscorer in FIFA World Cup historical past.
The 38-year-old’s three-goal efficiency moved him onto 16 World Cup objectives, drawing degree with Germany legend Miroslav Klose on the high of the all-time scoring charts.
It was yet one more reminder that even within the twilight of his profession, Messi stays able to delivering on soccer’s largest stage.
Messi Responds To Mbappé And Haaland
Earlier within the day, soccer followers have been celebrating spectacular performances from two of the sport’s largest stars.
Kylian Mbappé scored twice as France opened their World Cup marketing campaign with a 3-1 win over Senegal, whereas Erling Haaland additionally discovered the online twice for Norway.
However as has occurred so many occasions all through his profession, Messi stole the highlight.
The Argentina captain produced a hat-trick in his nation’s opening match of the match, not solely securing victory for the reigning world champions but in addition equalling one of the prestigious information in soccer historical past.
The Biggest Goalscorers In World Cup Historical past
| Rank | Participant | Nation | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| =1 | Lionel Messi | Argentina | 16 |
| =1 | Miroslav Klose | Germany | 16 |
| 3 | Ronaldo Nazário | Brazil | 15 |
| =4 | France | 14 | |
| =4 | Gerd Müller | Germany | 14 |
| 6 | Simply Fontaine | France | 13 |
| 7 | Pelé | Brazil | 12 |
| 8 | Sándor Kocsis | Hungary | 11 |
| =9 | Jürgen Klinsmann | Germany | 11 |
| =9 | Helmut Rahn | Germany | 10 |
With probably a number of matches nonetheless to play on this match, Messi now has a practical alternative to change into the outright holder of the report earlier than the 2026 World Cup ends.
A World Cup Profession For The Ages
Messi’s World Cup journey started in Germany in 2006.
Twenty years later, he’s nonetheless producing moments of brilliance on soccer’s largest stage.
His World Cup résumé is unmatched:
- FIFA World Cup winner (2022)
- Two World Cup finals
- Golden Ball winner
- Most World Cup appearances by an outfield participant
- Joint all-time World Cup high scorer
- 16 World Cup objectives
- Numerous assists and match-winning performances
The crowning second of his worldwide profession got here in Qatar in 2022 when he impressed Argentina to World Cup glory, scoring seven objectives and lifting the one main trophy that had beforehand eluded him.
Many believed that match can be his closing World Cup.
As a substitute, Messi has returned in 2026 and is as soon as once more making historical past.
Age Is Simply A Quantity
Maybe probably the most outstanding side of Messi’s newest achievement is his age.
At 38, most footballers have lengthy since retired from worldwide soccer or moved into lowered roles.
Messi, nevertheless, continues to resolve matches on the highest degree.
His hat-trick was a reminder that whereas soccer’s subsequent era, led by Mbappé, Haaland, Jude Bellingham and others, continues to emerge, the game’s largest stage nonetheless belongs to one in all its greatest-ever gamers.
One Extra Record Inside Attain
For years, Miroslav Klose’s report of 16 World Cup objectives appeared untouchable.
Now Messi stands alongside him.
Given Argentina’s ambitions of defending their crown and the shape proven by their captain within the opening recreation, it will be no shock if the report turns into his alone earlier than the match concludes.
And if that occurs, it is going to be yet one more milestone in a profession that has already redefined greatness.
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