Lionel Messi etched his name deeper into football folklore on Tuesday, becoming the first player in history to appear in six FIFA World Cups when he led Argentina out against Algeria in their opening match in Kansas City.
The 38-year-old, who captained Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar four years ago, reached another landmark on the same night by making his 200th international appearance for the South American champions.
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Messi's latest record came with a reminder that, even in his sixth World Cup, he remains at the heart of Argentina's ambitions. The veteran forward delivered a sensational hat-trick against Algeria, powering the defending champions to victory and further enhancing his status on football's grandest stage.
His first goal came from distance in the opening half before he added another from close range after the break. He completed his treble in the 76th minute, sending the sea of Argentina supporters at Arrowhead Stadium into celebration.
The goals also carried historic significance. With his latest strikes, Messi equalled Germany's Miroslav Klose's all-time World Cup scoring record of 16 goals. He also became only the second player to score in five different editions of the tournament.
The feat was made all the more remarkable by its timing. Exactly 20 years earlier, Messi had made his World Cup debut as a teenager against Serbia and Montenegro at Germany 2006 and marked that appearance with a goal as well.
After inspiring Argentina to the title in Qatar with seven goals, including two in the dramatic final against France, Messi had suggested that the 2022 tournament would be his last World Cup. Instead, he changed course, returned for another campaign and finished as the leading scorer in South American qualifying for the 2026 finals in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
His form has shown little sign of decline. The Inter Miami forward arrived at the World Cup after scoring 13 goals in 16 MLS matches in 2026 and quickly demonstrated that age had not diminished his influence.
"I love playing football, and I'm going to do it until I can't anymore," Messi said recently.
His great rival, Cristiano Ronaldo, could match the record of six World Cup appearances if he features for Portugal against DR Congo on Wednesday. But for one night in Kansas City, the stage belonged entirely to Messi, who turned a historic appearance into another enduring chapter in an already unparalleled World Cup story.
