Lionel Messi<\/a> needed just one game to make history at the 2026 FIFA World Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Inter Miami CF<\/a>\u2019s superstar No. 10 scored his first-ever World Cup hat trick to pace defending champions Argentina to a 3-0 win<\/a> over Algeria in Tuesday night\u2019s Group J opener at Kansas City Stadium.<\/p>\n In his record sixth World Cup appearance, Messi became just the second-ever player<\/a>\u00a0to score at five different tournaments<\/strong>, joining Portugal legend Cristiano Ronaldo.<\/p>\n On his 200th cap for Argentina, Messi made additional history by tying former Germany striker Miroslav Klose’s record of 16 World Cup goals<\/a>. He did it on the 20th anniversary of his first World Cup goal.\u00a0<\/p>\n “Fortunately, I\u2019m feeling well. We were lucky to win a difficult game,” Messi said.<\/p>\n “It\u2019s important to start by winning the first game. It\u2019s 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.”<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n The Messi Show\u2122\ufe0f pic.twitter.com\/pg1cOkTiIz<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 17, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n Messi, who guided La Albiceleste to their third World Cup title at Qatar 2022, now has 16g\/8a in 27 all-time World Cup appearances.\u00a0<\/p>\n Lionel Messi’s 16 World Cup goals by tournament<\/strong><\/p>\n Make that 15 World Cup goals for Leo. pic.twitter.com\/h7hskVb6nL<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 17, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n Messi got his historic night started in the 17th minute with help from Miami teammate\u00a0Rodrigo De Paul<\/a>. The midfielder sent a long through ball for the legendary No. 10, who, with space near the edge of the box, blasted a left-footed shot into the upper right corner.<\/p>\n At the hour mark, Messi was in the right place at the right time, tapping in goalkeeper Luca Zidane’s rebound following a long-range effort from Alexis Mac Allister.<\/p>\n In the 76th minute, Messi’s magical left foot struck again to put the game away and reach his latest personal milestone.<\/p>\n \u201cFirst of all, I\u2019m thankful to the people because once again they\u2019ve shown that Argentina is crazy. We filled another stadium; there were 80,000 people or more. Just thank them, thank them for the effort they make,” Messi said.<\/p>\n “Whenever and wherever, they always support us \u2013 the last one in Qatar, and now in the United States. I know that people make a big effort [to come], so enjoy the moment, enjoy today, how we do things, and thank them. Because for us it\u2019s always an advantage to feel like the home team.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n tell \u2018em Leo\u2019s still doing it \ud83d\udc10 pic.twitter.com\/Bj9eFjTlAQ<\/a><\/p>\n\n
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Messi masterpiece<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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