Lionel Messi opened his 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with a bang, tying the all-time World Cup goals record in Argentina's 3-0 win over Algeria on Tuesday night.
The Inter Miami CF superstar now has 16 career World Cup goals, drawing level with German legend Miroslav Klose following his first career World Cup hat trick during Argentina's Group J opener in Kansas City.
The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner could own the record outright when the defending World Cup champions meet Austria in Dallas next Monday (1 pm ET | FOX, Telemundo, Peacock). They'll also play Jordan on June 27 in Dallas.
“I have no words, no words. Anything I say would be unnecessary,” said Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni.
“He’s been doing this for 20 years. I think soccer people want to see him, not just Argentines. Beyond the result, you have to enjoy him because what he transmits to everyone is incredible.”
Making history
On a day when global giants Kylian Mbappé (France) and Erling Haaland (Norway) both scored braces, the GOAT one-upped them to begin his record sixth World Cup on the 20th anniversary of his first World Cup goal.
The iconic No. 10 opened the scoring in the first half, then added a second-half brace to mark his 200th cap for Argentina in style.
In the process, Messi joined Portugal legend Cristiano Ronaldo as the second-ever player to score at five World Cups.
"Fortunately, I’m feeling well. We were lucky to win a difficult game," Messi said.
"It’s important to start by winning the first game. It’s never easy to play the first game at a World Cup. The first half was hard for us, and luckily, we got the job done in the second half to make a big difference."
Lionel Messi's World Cup goals
It all started for Messi at the 2006 World Cup with a goal against Serbia and Montenegro, and he famously netted a brace to lead Argentina to a breathtaking penalty-kick victory over France in the 2022 World Cup final.
- June 16, 2006 vs. Serbia and Montenegro: 1 goal
- June 15, 2014 vs. Bosnia: 1 goal
- June 21, 2014 vs. Iran: 1 goal
- June 25, 2014 vs. Nigeria: 2 goals
- June 26, 2018 vs. Nigeria: 1 goal
- November 22, 2022 vs. Saudi Arabia: 1 goal
- November 26, 2022 vs. Mexico: 1 goal
- December 3, 2022 vs. Australia: 1 goal
- December 9, 2022 vs. Netherlands: 1 goal
- December 13, 2022 vs. Croatia: 1 goal
- December 18, 2022 vs. France: 2 goals
- June 16, 2026 vs. Algeria: 3 goals
