Lionel Messi has spent practically 20 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 exceptional chapter to his legacy, scoring a hat-trick to develop 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 targets, drawing stage 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 greatest stage.
Messi Responds To Mbappé And Haaland
Earlier within the day, soccer followers had been celebrating spectacular performances from two of the sport’s greatest 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 web 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 event, not solely securing victory for the reigning world champions but in addition equalling probably the most prestigious information in soccer historical past.
The Best Goalscorers In World Cup Historical past
| Rank | Participant | Nation | Targets |
|---|---|---|---|
| =1 | Lionel Messi | Argentina | 16 |
| =1 | Miroslav Klose | Germany | 16 |
| 3 | Ronaldo Nazário | Brazil | 15 |
| =4 | Kylian Mbappé | 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 doubtlessly a number of matches nonetheless to play on this event, Messi now has a sensible alternative to develop into the outright holder of the document 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 greatest 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 targets
- 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 targets and lifting the one main trophy that had beforehand eluded him.
Many believed that event could 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 essentially the most exceptional side of Messi’s newest achievement is his age.
At 38, most footballers have lengthy since retired from worldwide soccer or moved into decreased roles.
Messi, nonetheless, continues to determine matches on the highest stage.
His hat-trick was a reminder that whereas soccer’s subsequent technology, led by Mbappé, Haaland, Jude Bellingham and others, continues to emerge, the game’s greatest stage nonetheless belongs to considered one of its greatest-ever gamers.
One Extra Document Inside Attain
For years, Miroslav Klose’s document of 16 World Cup targets 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 sport, it might be no shock if the document turns into his alone earlier than the event concludes.
And if that occurs, will probably be yet one more milestone in a profession that has already redefined greatness.
