(Image source from: Twitter)

Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup legacy has always been seen as a standard for staying power and excellence on the biggest stage, but Lionel Messi has now transformed that narrative in a remarkable way. At 38 years of age, Messi not only surpassed Ronaldo’s mark as the oldest player to score a hat-trick in World Cup history, but he also achieved 16 total World Cup goals, tying Miroslav Klose as the all-time leading scorer of the tournament. During an unforgettable night in Argentina’s World Cup match against Algeria, Messi became the first individual ever to play in six FIFA World Cups. He celebrated this milestone with an impressive hat-trick that showcased his knack for shining when it counts the most. Wearing the special World Cup ‘Legacy’ patch, the captain from Argentina delivered a performance full of grace, cleverness, and style.

For a player who has spent twenty years pushing the boundaries of what it means to be great in football, June 16, 2026, felt like another important moment rather than a final takeaway. His hat-trick was the first in his World Cup journey, bringing his total to 16 goals in the tournament and equaling Klose’s long-held record. At 38 years and 357 days, Messi also broke Ronaldo’s past record for the oldest player to score a World Cup hat-trick, which was set during Portugal’s thrilling 3-3 tie with Spain in the 2018 World Cup. With Argentina kicking off their tournament with a win, the current champions are hopeful that their captain can continue to create magical moments as the tournament goes on. Messi’s name is now listed among the most elite records in World Cup history. Since 1930, there have only been 55 hat-tricks scored across 23 tournament editions, and only four players have scored more than one. Even within that exclusive group, his recent accomplishment serves as another indication that his story within the World Cup is still unfolding, rather than reaching an end.