Argentina captain Lionel Messi has downplayed his latest football achievement, describing becoming the World Cup's joint all-time leading goal-scorer as "nothing but a number."
Historic Hat-Trick in Kansas City
Messi rolled back the years on Wednesday morning by scoring his first ever World Cup hat-trick to lead Argentina to a 3-0 thrashing of Algeria in their opening group game in Kansas City. The 38-year-old opened his record-breaking sixth World Cup with a treble to become the tournament's joint all-time top scorer as the holders launched their bid for back-to-back titles.
On a magical night at Kansas City's 69,045-capacity Arrowhead Stadium, the Inter Miami forward delivered an electrifying individual display to join Miroslav Klose at the top of the World Cup scorers charts with 16 goals.
Milestone Appearance
Messi started the unforgettable occasion, his 200th international appearance, by claiming a piece of history as the first man to play in six World Cups. He led Argentina onto the field for what would become a one-sided Group J clash. Messi, who first played in the World Cup as a teenager during the 2006 finals in Germany, then emphatically stamped his class on proceedings with a memorable hat-trick, the first of his World Cup career.
A 17th-minute curling strike took his World Cup goals tally to 14, putting him alongside German legend Gerd Muller and France superstar Kylian Mbappe in the all-time rankings. He then moved one clear of Muller and Mbappe to join Brazilian great Ronaldo on 15 goals in the 60th minute after pouncing on a rebound from an Alexis Mac Allister shot to make it 2-0.
The Barcelona legend equaled Germany's Klose on 16 goals in the 76th minute, sweeping in a low finish from the edge of the area before departing to a standing ovation from an adoring crowd four minutes later.
Messi's Reaction
Messi savored a "beautiful moment" after becoming the World Cup's joint all-time leading goalscorer but played down the significance of his milestone scoring feat, saying "ultimately, it is just a statistic, nothing more."
"To enjoy this with my family, with my teammates, the ones who are always there, is a really beautiful moment," the former Paris Saint-Germain attacker said. "I am happy."
He added: "It is an honor to be there, given what it means to stand alongside Klose or the others. Ronaldo is there too but I don't think it means anything, Mbappe as well, who scored two (in a 3-1 win against Senegal). In the end, it is just a statistic and nothing more."
Argentina's Title Defense
Messi's razor-sharp eye for goal augurs well for Argentina's hopes of becoming the first team since Brazil in 1962 to win back-to-back World Cup titles. "The squad, it is a very united, very strong group," he said. "I feel good. We were lucky enough to win a tough match. It is important to start off with a win in the first game."
He also expressed gratitude to the fans: "I am grateful to the fans, because once again they have shown that Argentina is crazy about this, we packed the stadium again."
