The 2026 FIFA World Cup opening matchday delivered a historic spectacle that will be etched into football lore forever, as 38-year-old Lionel Messi turned Kansas City Stadium into his personal stage, producing a breathtaking hat-trick that cemented his place among the sport’s all-time greats. The iconic Argentine forward delivered a performance for the ages, capping a 3-0 victory over Algeria by equaling Miroslav Klose’s record 16 career World Cup goals, a milestone that came on the 20th anniversary of his 2006 World Cup debut, and just one day after he became the first player in history to compete at six editions of the tournament. The day had already seen other global superstars shine: Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland both netted braces in their own opening fixtures, but as the sun set over the Kansas City skyline, it was clear the main event belonged to Messi.
Even before his record-breaking hat-trick, the evening felt scripted for magic. Just four minutes into the match, Messi raced past Algeria’s defense to slot past goalkeeper Luca Zidane (son of French legend Zinedine Zidane), only for an offside flag to rule out the early goal. The packed stands of Argentina fans still erupted as if they had lifted the trophy itself; journalists in the press box knew it was not a question of if Messi would score, but when.
That moment arrived in the 18th minute. From 25 yards out, Messi shifted onto his favored left foot and curled a blistering strike toward the top-right corner. Zidane got both hands to the effort, but the power of the shot carried it into the net, sending the stadium into delirium. It was Messi’s 14th World Cup goal, and the start of a historic night. Former Everton midfielder Leon Osman summed up the moment: “Messi is celebrating like it’s his first World Cup goal. With the ability he has, he never seems to age. It’s a brilliant ball into his feet and, as you’d expect, he finishes it superbly.”
At 38, Messi continues to defy the conventional limits of age for a professional footballer. This marked his 27th World Cup match, more appearances than any player in tournament history, and across 90 minutes he remained sharp, constantly scanning for space, anticipating his teammates’ runs, and looking every bit as fast and dangerous as he did a decade ago. By the 60th minute, he had doubled his tally: a costly unforced error from Zidane left the ball rolling straight into Messi’s path, and he converted with characteristic cool composure. The goal made him the oldest player ever to score twice in a single World Cup match, and put him just one strike away from equaling Klose’s all-time scoring record.
The milestone third goal came in the 76th minute, when substitute Nico Gonzalez played a perfectly weighted pass into Messi’s path. He made no mistake, slotting home to complete his first ever World Cup hat-trick. As thousands of Argentina fans chanted his name, Messi lifted his arms to the sky, taking in the moment that 20 years of work had built to. When he was substituted late in the match, he left the pitch to a standing ovation that echoed long after he reached the touchline.
Speaking after the match, Messi called the moment deeply meaningful: “To enjoy this with my family, with my team-mates, the ones who are always there, is a really beautiful moment. The squad, it’s a very united, very strong group. I feel good; we were lucky enough to win a tough match. It’s important to start off with a win in the first game. I’m grateful to the fans, because once again they’ve shown that Argentina is crazy about this – we packed the stadium again. Everything I’m experiencing now is a bonus. I’ve been fortunate enough to achieve all my dreams — or even more than I ever dreamed of achieving — both professionally and personally.”
Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni said he struggled to put Messi’s legacy into words: “I don’t have the words to describe Messi. For 20 years, he’s had us used to seeing things like this and he inspires everyone who watches him play.”
Even after the final whistle, thousands of fans stayed in the stands to celebrate, filling the stadium with the blue and white of the Argentine flag and chants of Messi’s name that carried into the Kansas City night. For supporters, who wore his name on their backs and displayed tattoos of his likeness, Messi is far more than a footballer: words like “hero”, “idol”, and “our everything” were common descriptors among the crowd. Even Patrick Mahomes, the Kansas City Chiefs star quarterback who usually commands headlines in this very stadium, watched on from the stands, captivated by Messi’s magic.
Having led Argentina to World Cup glory in 2022, few would now bet against the ageless superstar leading his nation to another title run. On an opening day filled with the world’s biggest football talents, there was no question who stood above the rest: 20 years after his first World Cup appearance, Lionel Messi is still the main event.