Messi Sets Three Records After Hat‑Trick in Argentina’s 2026 World Cup Win Over Algeria

Argentina captain Lionel Messi set three World Cup records in the early hours of today after scoring a hat‑trick in his side’s 3‑0 victory over Algeria.

A first‑half goal followed by two in the second half secured the win at Kansas City Stadium.

With the final whistle, Messi became the sole player in World Cup history to have scored against eleven different national teams.

The Inter Miami forward surpassed the previous record of ten held by Brazil’s Ronaldo Nazário and Germany’s Jürgen Klinsmann.

At 38 years, 357 days old, Messi is also the oldest player to score multiple goals—or a hat‑trick—in a FIFA World Cup match, overtaking Cameroon legend Roger Milla (30 years, 34 days) from 1990.

Additionally, the match against Algeria marked Messi’s 200th appearance for Argentina, the most by any player in the nation’s history.

Messi will aim to guide Argentina to another win when they face Austria in their next match on Monday.