A lot of football fans may have thought Messi’s World Cup story had ended after the trophy lift in Qatar, but that was never going to be the case.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner proved that age is just a number in Kansas on Wednesday morning. Messi scored a hat-trick as Argentina beat Algeria 3-0 in their Group J opener.
The sublime hat-trick moved Messi level with Germany’s Miroslav Klose as the all-time top scorer at the World Cup.
Goal number 17, which took him top of the charts, came against Austria despite an early penalty miss.
But just how did Messi break the record?
2006 FIFA WORLD CUP – GERMANY
Teenage Wonderkid
Just days before his 19th birthday the Argentinian came off the bench against Serbia and Montenegro making his tournament debut.
Messi registered both a goal and assist as Argentina went on to win 6-0. He remains the only teenager to both score and assist in the same World Cup match since 1966.
2010 FIFA WORLD CUP – SOUTH AFRICA
Argentina reached the quarter-finals but suffered a 4-0 thrashing against Germany.
Messi was only able to register a single assist during the tournament.
2014 FIFA WORLD CUP – BRAZIL
Runners-up
After failing to get on the scoresheet in South Africa Messi arrived in Brazil with a point to prove. The then 27-year-old guided the South Americans to their first final since 1990, scoring four times.
All four of Messi’s goals came in the group stages including a brace over Nigeria and a 91st minute winner against Iran.
Despite being pipped by Germany in the final, Messi was awarded the Golden Ball. Messi ended the campaign with the most successful dribbles and most chances created having a direct involvement in five of the eight goals scored en route to the final.
2018 FIFA WORLD CUP – RUSSIA
Last Chance?
Messi had a tournament to forget in Russia, missing a penalty against Iceland and being dumped out in the round of 16. Despite this Messi still registered a goal and two assists. Once again Nigeria proved to be a familiar opponent with Messi scoring against them for a second consecutive World Cup.
However, Argentina were knocked out by eventual winners France in a 4-3 thriller.
2022 FIFA WORLD CUP – QATAR
INTERNATIONAL GLORY – AT LAST
The winter World Cup, the Qatar World Cup or as some like to call it, the Messi World Cup. The Argentinian netted seven goals in as many games as Argentina won their first title since 1986. However, he was still pipped to the golden boot by Kylian Mbappe who scored a hat-trick sending the final to penalties.
Messi became the first player to win the Golden Ball award twice on his way to glory. He netted twice in the group stages but came to life during the knockout phase scoring in each game en route to the final.
The captain found himself centre stage in the final putting Argentina ahead from the spot and regaining their lead in extra-time taking his tally to 13 and it looked like it might end there.
2026 FIFA WORLD CUP – NORTH AMERICA
The Record Breaking Tournament
Messi levelled Klose’s record 16 World Cup goals with a hat-trick past Zidane. No, not that one, Luca Zidane the son of 2006 World Cup winner Zinedine Zidane.
Messi put Argentina ahead in the 17th minute firing into the top corner despite Zidane getting a hand to the ball.
On the hour-mark Messi netted his 15th goal at the biggest stage, Zidane parried Alexis Mac Allister’s strike from distance, Messi was on hand to tap home with his right foot.
The record equalling goal came on 76 minutes. Nico Gonzalez picked out the 38-year-old on the edge of the box. The Argentina skipper took a touch before smashing past Zidane to complete his hat-trick.
Messi completed the record with a first-half strike against Austria, despite missing from the spot after just nine minutes.
Lautaro Martinez’ dummy allowed Nahuel Medina’s pass to fall to Messi. Messi swept the ball past Alexander Schlager in style.
Messi breaks Klose’s 12 year record and has also scored in his last six consecutive World Cup games since the round of 16 in Qatar.
With a group game against Jordan still to play, Messi is likely to extend the record.
