Lionel Messi Sets Records with Sixth World Cup Appearance and Hat-Trick Against Algeria
Lionel Messi made history at the FIFA World Cup 2026 by becoming the first player to feature in six editions of the tournament, marking his 200th international appearance for Argentina. In Argentina's opening match against Algeria, Messi scored a hat-trick, equaling Miroslav Klose's all-time World Cup goal record of 16. His performance included a long-range strike and two additional goals, making him the oldest player to score a World Cup hat-trick. Messi's achievements highlight his enduring impact on international football as Argentina began their title defense with a 3-0 victory.