This could have been Kylian Mbappe’s day. The French captain scored a brace as France beat Senegal 3-1 to go to 14 World Cup goals, just one behind Ronaldo and one ahead of Lionel Messi. Except Messi had something to say about that. The all-time great, who turns 39 a week from now, responded with a hat-trick as Argentina won their opener against Algeria 3-0.
This was the Argentine captain’s 61st career hat-trick and his eleventh for the national team, but his first hat-trick at the World Cup.
The goals took him past Mbappe and Ronaldo to level with Miroslav Klose on 16 World Cup goals. He now needs just one more to become the all-time top scorer at World Cups. It was, to the day, exactly 20 years since Messi scored his first World Cup goal against Serbia and Montenegro in Germany.
He also became only the second player, after Cristiano Ronaldo, to score in five World Cups, with goals in 2006, 2014, 2018, 2022 and now 2026. He also broke Ronado's record for the oldest player to score a World Cup hattrick. The Portugal talisman had scored thrice against Spain in the 2018 edition of the tournmanet in Russia.
To mark the occasion, here is our ranking of all 16 of Messi’s World Cup goals:
16. Penalty vs Saudi Arabia (2022)
Messi’s first World Cup penalty. He sent the keeper the wrong way and casually stroked it past him. At that point, it was difficult to imagine the Saudis would claim a famous win.
15. Penalty vs the Netherlands (2022)
Powerfully struck home in the quarterfinals. Messi had missed his last penalty against Poland, but looked completely unbothered by that.
14. Penalty vs Croatia (2022)
Croatian keeper Dominik Livakovic had impressed with his penalty-saving ability. But, he stood no chance against Messi’s decisive strike into the top corner in the semifinals.
13. Penalty vs France (2022)
For the final, Messi went back to the technique he used against the Saudis, sending Hugo Lloris the wrong way before finishing to the other side as the French captain looked on helplessly.
12. Tap-in vs France (2022)
Right place, right time. He had to adjust quickly to guide the ball into the net and give Argentina the lead in extra time in the final.
11. Tap-in vs Algeria (2026)
The second of his three goals today. Messi made it look simple, but the movement he showed to get in position was elite.
10. Smashed in vs Nigeria (2014)
The ball was loose in the box. The keeper was out of position. Messi arrived and thumped the ball into the roof of the net. It was about the only type of finish that guaranteed a goal with so many bodies in the box.
9. First goal vs Serbia & Montenegro (2006)
An 18-year-old Messi was played in on the right. He took a first touch with his left and beat the keeper on the near-post with a low right-footed shot.
8. Screamer vs Algeria (2026)
His first goal today. Found space in the middle to receive the ball and turn before producing a powerful shot that curled away from Luca Zidane in the net. The keeper got both hands to it, but couldn’t keep it out.
7. Clinical finish vs Australia (2022)
Australia’s heroic defending in the round of 16 amounted to nothing as they gave Messi too much time and space in the box. Perfectly placed to avoid an attempted block, giving the keeper no chance.
6. Curler vs Algeria (2026)
The hat-trick goal. While Zidane could have done better on the first goal, there was nothing he could do about this one. Messi received the ball in the middle, played a one-two and stroked home from the edge of the box.
5. Run and finish vs Bosnia (2014)
Vintage Messi. Received in the middle, played a one-two and ran past a couple of players before stroking the ball in off the post as the two defenders trying to stop him crashed into each other.
4. Free-kick vs Nigeria (2014)
Messi’s only free-kick goal at the World Cup. Not his best free-kick, but still precise enough and better than what most players are capable of.
3. Arrowed in vs Mexico (2022)
With Argentina in a tough spot, Messi stepped up once again. A controlled low strike from outside the box through a crowd into the far corner. Guillermo Ochoa was diving at full stretch, but could not reach it.
2. Stunner vs Iran (2014)
Iran had defended for their lives. When Messi picked up the ball, nine Iranian outfield players stood between him and the goal. It did not matter. An absolute peach, curled into the far corner from outside the box beyond a diving goalkeeper.
1. Awe-inspiring finish vs Nigeria (2018)
One of the most technical goals in recent World Cups. It may not look that special on first viewing. But that is because of how easy Messi made it look. An amazing first touch with his thigh to bring down a long ball, a perfect second touch with his trusted left foot and a fantastic finish with his right. An unforgettable Messi moment.
