Lionel Messi Scores Hat-Trick in Argentina’s 3-0 World Cup Win, Becomes All-Time Top Scorer
Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick in Argentina’s 3-0 victory over Algeria on Wednesday, June 16, 2026, in Kansas City, Missouri, becoming the all-time top scorer in FIFA World Cup history with 16 goals, tying Miroslav Klose, according to the Associated Press. The 39-year-old forward, in his sixth World Cup, also became the oldest player to achieve a hat-trick in the tournament’s history.
How Did Messi Achieve This Milestone?
Messi’s three goals against Algeria—his first in the 2026 World Cup—propelled Argentina to a dominant start in the group stage. The victory marked his 27th World Cup appearance, two more than the previous record held by Lothar Matthäus. His first goal came in the 23rd minute, followed by strikes in the 62nd and 78th minutes. The match, played at Children’s Mercy Park, was the first of Argentina’s campaign in the 2026 tournament.
What Is the History of the “Hat-Trick” Term?
The term “hat-trick” originated in cricket in 1858, when English bowler H.H. Stephenson took three wickets in consecutive deliveries. A fund was raised to gift him a hat, according to the International Cricket Council. The term later entered football and other sports, including hockey, to describe three goals or achievements in a single game. In the NHL, the phrase gained popularity in the 1930s, with Toronto’s Sammy Taft offering free hats to players who scored three goals in a game, per the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Which Players Have Scored Hat-Tricks in the World Cup?
Messi joined an elite group of players who have scored World Cup hat-tricks, including Pelé, Gerd Müller, and Kylian Mbappé. The first World Cup hat-trick was scored by American Bert Patenaude in 1930, though it took decades for FIFA to officially recognize the feat due to disputes over goal ownership, as reported by the U.S. Soccer Federation. Geoff Hurst remains the only player to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final, in 1966, until Mbappé replicated the achievement in 2022.
Why Is This Achievement Significant?
Messi