Lionel Messi rewrote the record books once again as the Argentina captain climbed to the top of the FIFA World Cup scoring chart.
The 38 year old scored a hat-trick in Argentina’s 3-0 win over Algeria in Kansas City on Wednesday. The three goals took his World Cup tally to 16, drawing him level with Miroslav Klose for the most goals in the tournament’s history.
Messi started the night with 13 World Cup goals. His stunning first goal from outside the penalty area moved him level with Gerd Muller and Kylian Mbappe on 14. His second goal saw him match Ronaldo Nazario on 15. His third completed the climb to the summit alongside Klose.
The all time World Cup scoring list is now led by Klose and Messi with 16 goals each. Ronaldo follows with 15, while Muller and Mbappe have 14.
The opening goal against Algeria also helped Messi join another exclusive group. It was his fifth World Cup goal from outside the penalty area, drawing him level with Brazil great Rivellino for the most such goals in tournament history.
The hat-trick itself was another landmark moment. Despite playing in six World Cups and winning the trophy in 2022, Messi had never scored a World Cup hat trick before. Algeria became the first team to concede three goals from him in a single World Cup match.
At 38 years and 358 days, Messi also became the oldest player ever to score a World Cup hat trick.
The Argentina captain had already made history before kick off by becoming the first player to appear in six World Cups. By the final whistle, he had added several more records and strengthened his place among the greatest players the game has ever seen.
