Lionel Messi continues to defy age and write football history at the highest level. When Argentina defeated Algeria 3-0 in the World Cup, the 38-year-old captain scored all three goals – thus equaling former German football star Miroslav Klose’s record as the top World Cup scorer in history.
The match, which took place late Tuesday night, was a true display from the Argentine superstar, who has spent most of his adult life in Spain playing for FC Barcelona.
At the Spanish club giant, he collected titles, broke countless records, and won nearly everything possible at club level before continuing his career with Paris Saint-Germain F.C., and later Inter Miami CF, where he currently plays.
Less than 17 minutes into the World Cup match in the USA, he put Argentina in the lead with a long-range shot into the top corner. He then added two more goals to complete his first hat-trick in a World Cup. See the goals here:
With these three goals, Messi now stands at 16 World Cup goals, equaling the record held by Germany’s legendary striker Miroslav Klose, who was born in Poland to Polish parents.
At the same time, the Argentine, at 38, became the oldest player ever to score three goals in a World Cup match.
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– It’s an honor. Mbappé and Ronaldo are up there too, but those numbers don’t really mean anything. It’s just statistics, said Messi to the Argentine daily La Nación.
All-time Top World Cup Scorers
1. Lionel Messi, Argentina – 16 goals
1. Miroslav Klose, Germany – 16 goals
3. Ronaldo, Brazil – 15 goals
4. Kylian Mbappé, France – 14 goals
4. Gerd Müller, West Germany – 14 goals
6. Just Fontaine, France – 13 goals
7. Pelé, Brazil – 12 goals
8. Jürgen Klinsmann, West Germany/Germany – 11 goals
8. Sándor Kocsis, Hungary – 11 goals
10. Gabriel Batistuta, Argentina – 10 goals
10. Gary Lineker, England – 10 goals
10. Teófilo Cubillas, Peru – 10 goals
After his first goal, Messi was seen crying on the pitch. Afterwards, he explained how his emotions were rooted in personal struggles outside of football.
– It was about something unrelated to football. I’ve had a few tough and complicated days. I am grateful to everyone in the team and the staff. They’ve always been there for me and provided the support I needed, he told the press.
First Player to Play in Six World Cups
The match against Algeria marked another historic milestone. When the referee blew the starting whistle, Messi became the first player ever to participate in six World Cups.
The Argentine, who is widely regarded by football experts, players, and coaches as the greatest player of all time, made his World Cup debut in 2006 and has since played in every tournament through to 2026.
During Messi’s international career, Argentina has reached the World Cup final twice – in 2014 and 2022 – and in Qatar 2022, he finally got to lift the World Cup trophy after leading Argentina to their first World Cup win during his career.
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Watch Messi’s 13 World Cup goals from 2006–2022: