Lionel Messi<\/a>‘s record-breaking form led Argentina to a perfect Group J campaign at the 2026\u00a0FIFA World Cup<\/a>. Now it’s on to the knockout stages for the defending champions, beginning with Friday’s Round of 32 showdown against Cape Verde (6 pm ET | FOX, Telemundo, Peacock).<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Messi and Co. will take on the Blue Sharks at Miami Stadium \u2013 located some 20 miles north of the legendary No. 10 and Inter Miami CF<\/a> teammate\u00a0Rodrigo De Paul<\/a>‘s club home of Nu Stadium.<\/p>\n The stage is set for Messi, De Paul and La Albiceleste to continue their run at back-to-back World Cup titles.\u00a0<\/p>\n Here’s what they’ve achieved so far this summer, and what awaits them next.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n \ud83d\ude4c\ud83d\ude0d The greatest Golden Boot race in World Cup history. Just \ud835\udddf\ud835\udde2\ud835\udde2\ud835\uddde at the names on that list. Drink it in. This is what we live for.<\/p>\n 6 \u2014 Lionel Messi \ud83c\udde6\ud83c\uddf7 \u2014 Football Tweet \u26bd\uea00 (@Footballtweet) June 30, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n Messi produced his first-ever World Cup hat trick to open the tournament, guiding Argentina to a 3-0 win<\/a> over Algeria at Kansas City Stadium.\u00a0<\/p>\n In the process, he tied<\/a> former Germany striker Miroslav Klose’s then-record of 16 career World Cup goals.<\/p>\n Additionally,\u00a0Messi joined<\/a>\u00a0Portugal legend Cristiano Ronaldo as the second-ever player to\u00a0score at five World Cups.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n \n \n
5 \u2014 Erling Haaland \ud83c\uddf3\ud83c\uddf4
4 \u2014 Kylian Mbapp\u00e9 \ud83c\uddeb\ud83c\uddf7
4 \u2014 Ousmane Demb\u00e9l\u00e9 \ud83c\uddeb\ud83c\uddf7
4 \u2014 Vin\u00edcius J\u00fanior \ud83c\udde7\ud83c\uddf7
3 \u2014 Deniz Undav \ud83c\udde9\ud83c\uddea
3 \u2014 Johan\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/2CXXEmJibh<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\nHistoric hat trick<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n