Lionel Messi expressed his emotions after scoring a hat-trick in Argentina's opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup against Algeria. The defending champions secured a 3-0 victory at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas, with all three goals coming from their captain.
Messi's Historic Hat-Trick
The first goal came from a long-range effort that Algerian goalkeeper Luca Zidane deflected into his own net, giving Argentina a halftime lead. Messi narrowly avoided a red card for a studs-up challenge on Algerian captain Aissa Mandi, a decision that sparked debate among fans.
Zidane gifted Messi a second goal by spilling a shot into his path, allowing the Inter Miami star to tap in. Messi then completed his hat-trick with another strike from outside the box. This marked his first World Cup hat-trick, exactly 20 years after his first goal in the tournament, moving him to 16 goals and tying him with German legend Miroslav Klose as the all-time top scorer.
Messi's Reaction
Messi was emotional after his first goal but joyful after completing the hat-trick in front of Zinedine Zidane, whom he admires, and against Zidane's son. Despite the historic achievement, Messi remained humble.
"I can't ask for anything more; God has given me so much. Now it's all about enjoying it," Messi told DSports Argentina. "I'm just happy to be considered among the best in football history. I'm grateful to be mentioned alongside many great players."
He added, "It's an honor to be level with Klose. Ronaldo is also there, but it doesn't mean anything. Mbappé scored two today; in the end, it's just a statistic. While it's a source of pride to compete with them, it doesn't mean anything. From what I saw, Ronaldo was one of the greatest, and he's not in first place; it's just a statistic."
What's Next for Argentina
Messi will have the chance to become the outright top scorer in World Cup history when Argentina faces Austria in their second group match. Head coach Lionel Scaloni hinted that Messi could be rested for the final group game against Jordan if Argentina secures progression to the knockout stage.
FIFA sent a message to Messi after his performance, describing him as "class" on X. The football world continues to celebrate the Argentine star's remarkable achievements.
