Kansas City, United States.– The captain of the Argentine national team, Lionel Messi, wrote a new page in world football history this Tuesday by scoring three goals in the 3-0 victory over Algeria, a result that allowed him to equal the record of Germany’s Miroslav Klose as the all-time top scorer in World Cups.
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Just eight days away from turning 39, Messi played in the sixth World Cup of his career and reached 16 goals in football’s top competition, in addition to scoring the 913th goal of his professional career and reaching 200 matches with the Argentine national team.
The star from Rosario also set a curious record by completing exactly 20 years between his first and his most recent World Cup goal. His scoring debut in the World Cup took place on June 16, 2006, against Serbia, during the tournament held in Germany.
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Before starting this edition, Messi shared with the Frenchman Just Fontaine the figure of 13 goals in World Cups. With his performance against Algeria, he left behind the records of the German Gerd Müller (14) and the Brazilian Ronaldo Nazário (15), until reaching the historical summit alongside Klose.
The first goal came in the 17th minute, when the Argentine captain beat goalkeeper Luca Zidane with a powerful left-footed shot. The goal had a special emotional weight for the player, who could not hold back tears during the celebration with his teammates.
After the match, Messi revealed that he went through difficult personal moments in the days leading up to the World Cup debut.
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“It was a matter completely unrelated to sports. I went through some complicated and difficult days. I am grateful to the entire delegation and my teammates because they were always by my side and gave me strength,” he expressed.
The world champion also valued the support of his teammates and the atmosphere that prevails within the Argentine squad.
“This is to enjoy with my family, with the people, and with this group. We are very happy and we will enjoy this moment because we have a united and strong locker room,” he stated.
Messi, chosen Player of the Match, assured that he never imagined achieving the accomplishments he has reaped throughout his career.
“I didn’t imagine any of what I had to experience. Everything I am living is a gift. I have been lucky enough to enjoy much more than I dreamed of, both individually and collectively,” he stated.
The victory allowed Argentina to start its participation in Group J of the 2026 FIFA World Cup with authority, once again consolidating the Albiceleste among the main candidates for the title.
Caption: Lionel Messi celebrates one of his three goals in Argentina’s 3-0 victory over Algeria, a result with which he equaled the record for most goals in World Cup history.
