Messi against Algeria:
โช๏ธ Became the World Cup top scorer
โช๏ธ Surpassed R9, Gerd Mรผller, Pelรฉ and Mbappรฉ in World Cup goals
โช๏ธ Became Argentina's oldest World Cup scorer
โช๏ธ Became the oldest player to score a brace at the World Cup
โช๏ธ Became the oldest player to score a hat-trick at the World Cup
โช๏ธ Became the player with the most goal contributions at the World Cup (24)
โช๏ธ Equalled the record for most goals scored from outside the box at the World Cup (5)
โช๏ธ Became the player with goals in the most different World Cup games (12)
โช๏ธ Equalled Cristiano Ronaldo's record of scoring at 5 different World Cups
โช๏ธ Became the first Argentine to score in 5 different World Cups
โช๏ธ Became the 4th Argentine with a World Cup hat-trick
โช๏ธ Scored his 10th World Cup goal since turning 35
โช๏ธ Has now scored against the most different countries at the World Cup (11)
โช๏ธ Became the third player ever to reach 200 appearances for his country
โช๏ธ Became the first player ever to play in six World Cups
A few records more in the history books ๐
The way Ronaldo will be eager to score against DR Congo tomorrow after that Messi banger, all the fans that will be behind the Goalposts should go to the stadium with Helmets
๐จ Arsene Wenger on Lionel Messi's hat-trick and becoming the World Cup's all time leading goalscorer:
๐ฃโWhat we witnessed today goes beyond another record. It is the continuation of a career that has consistently redefined the standards of excellence in football.
It wasn't simply a hat-trick,it was the quality of the goals, the intelligence behind every decision, and the efficiency with which Messi influenced the game. Those are the qualities that separate truly exceptional players from the rest.
For many years people have tried to compare Messi with other great footballers, but there comes a point where comparisons lose their meaning. He has built a legacy that stands on its own.
What fascinates me most is his evolution. I genuinely don't know whether the young Messi, with his explosive pace and dribbling, was better than the experienced Messi we see today, who controls every moment of the game with his intelligence and understanding. Very few players improve with age the way he has.
The emotion after his second goal revealed another side of his greatness. It reminded everyone of the difficult journey he has had with Argentina,the disappointments, the criticism, and the perseverance that eventually led to glory. That emotional connection with his country continues to drive him.
To score his first World Cup hat trick while becoming the tournament's all time leading goalscorer is an extraordinary achievement. It is another milestone in a career that already seemed impossible to improve.
Perhaps the most remarkable aspect is his longevity. He finished the 2022 World Cup by lifting the trophy after scoring twice in the final, and he has opened the 2026 tournament with a hattrick. At almost 39 years of age, he continues to perform with the same clarity, technical quality, and love for the game that defined him in his twenties.
That is the mark of a truly timeless footballer.โ
๐จ Arsene Wenger on Lionel Messi's hat-trick and becoming the World Cup's all time leading goalscorer:
๐ฃโWhat we witnessed today goes beyond another record. It is the continuation of a career that has consistently redefined the standards of excellence in football.
It wasn't simply a hat-trick,it was the quality of the goals, the intelligence behind every decision, and the efficiency with which Messi influenced the game. Those are the qualities that separate truly exceptional players from the rest.
For many years people have tried to compare Messi with other great footballers, but there comes a point where comparisons lose their meaning. He has built a legacy that stands on its own.
What fascinates me most is his evolution. I genuinely don't know whether the young Messi, with his explosive pace and dribbling, was better than the experienced Messi we see today, who controls every moment of the game with his intelligence and understanding. Very few players improve with age the way he has.
The emotion after his second goal revealed another side of his greatness. It reminded everyone of the difficult journey he has had with Argentina,the disappointments, the criticism, and the perseverance that eventually led to glory. That emotional connection with his country continues to drive him.
To score his first World Cup hat trick while becoming the tournament's all time leading goalscorer is an extraordinary achievement. It is another milestone in a career that already seemed impossible to improve.
Perhaps the most remarkable aspect is his longevity. He finished the 2022 World Cup by lifting the trophy after scoring twice in the final, and he has opened the 2026 tournament with a hattrick. At almost 39 years of age, he continues to perform with the same clarity, technical quality, and love for the game that defined him in his twenties.
That is the mark of a truly timeless footballer.โ