World Cup 2026 Discussion | Did Messi prove he's still the best?

It was a day for football's biggest names. 

Yet even amid such star quality, Lionel Messi still commanded centre stage.

Author  | Jamie P

Hours after France's Kylian Mbappe and Norway's Erling Haaland had illuminated the World Cup with two goals apiece, the scene was set.

This, though, was no supporting role. This was the main attraction. The Messi show.

His first World Cup hat-trick, a record-equalling 16th goal at the finals, and another reminder that, even at 38, he remains a force of remarkable influence.

Argentina secured a 3-0 victory over Algeria, with Messi at the heart of everything.

As the sun dipped behind the Kansas City skyline, the 38-year-old became the first player in history to appear at six World Cups, eclipsing rival Cristiano Ronaldo by a single day.

World Cup 2026 | Argentina 3 - 0 Algeria Lionel Messi became the World Cup's joint all-time leading scorer with a hat-trick as reigning champions Argentina opened their title defence with an emphatic victory over Algeria. supernewsaffiliate.blogspot.com/2026/06/worl...

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— Super News Affiliate (@sup3rnew5affiliate.bsky.social) 17 June 2026 at 13:42

Exactly 20 years on from his World Cup debut as an 18-year-old at Germany 2006, one of football's greatest figures looked as sharp as ever, producing another outstanding display on his 200th appearance for Argentina.

There was a brief moment of concern after his opening goal when Messi's studs caught the top of Aissa Mandi's heel shortly after the half-hour mark. No action was taken, however, and the Argentine went on to make the most of his reprieve.