Six tournaments, 16 goals: Lionel Messi shatters records in Kansas City masterclass

Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick against Algeria in Argentina's opening match of the 2026 World Cup, securing a 3-0 victory. At 38, he became the first player to compete in six World Cups. The hat-trick allowed him to equal Miroslav Klose as the all-time top scorer in World Cup history with 16 goals. His opening strike from outside the box also set a record since FIFA began tracking detailed statistics in 1966.