Messi’s Historic Feat: Hat-Trick Against Algeria Breaks Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Record

Argentine football legend Lionel Messi has etched his name further into FIFA World Cup history by scoring a sensational hat-trick against Algeria and setting a new tournament record.

According to international media reports, Messi became the oldest player ever to score a World Cup hat-trick at the age of 38 years and 357 days.

The Argentine captain netted three goals in his side’s opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, leading Argentina to a commanding 3-0 victory over Algeria. Messi opened the scoring with a stunning long-range strike, added his second goal from close range after a rebound, and completed his hat-trick with a brilliant solo effort.

With this remarkable achievement, Messi surpassed the previous record held by Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal, who scored a World Cup hat-trick against Spain at the age of 33 during the 2018 tournament.

Reports also noted that Messi reached the milestone in his 200th international appearance. His three-goal performance took his World Cup tally to 16 goals, drawing level with Germany’s Miroslav Klose as the joint highest scorer in FIFA World Cup history.

The historic feat came exactly 20 years after Messi scored his first World Cup goal, making the achievement even more memorable and adding another remarkable chapter to his legendary career.