Lionel Messi has already broken a World Cup record, and he’s been tipped to break the biggest one.
Messi’s hat-trick against Algeria on the opening day of the 2026 World Cup has brought his total to 16 goals, tying Miroslav Klose’s record.
This achievement also makes Messi the first player to feature in six World Cups and the oldest player to score three goals in a World Cup match.
His three goals against Algeria has put him on the cusp of breaking the record for the most goals in FIFA World Cup history, which is currently held by Klose.
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Messi’s continued success in the tournament will be crucial in moving closer to breaking this record.
Thierry Henry said of Lionel Messi becoming the oldest player ever to score a World Cup hat-trick and the player with the most goals from outside the box in World Cup history:
“I honestly don’t know what more there is left to say about Lionel Messi anymore. Every time you think he has reached the top of the mountain, he somehow finds another peak that nobody else has ever climbed before.”
“The oldest player to score a World Cup hat-trick. Just stop and think about that for a second. At an age when most players are retired, coaching, or sitting in television studios, Messi is still breaking records on the biggest stage in football.”
“And it’s not just the hat-trick that amazes me. He now has more World Cup goals from outside the box than anyone in history. That tells you everything about the level of technique, vision, and confidence we are talking about.”
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“These are not lucky goals. These are moments of genius. The type of goals where everyone in the stadium knows what he wants to do, but nobody can stop him from doing it anyway.”
“What makes this even more incredible is that this is his sixth World Cup. Six World Cups. Different generations, different teammates, different opponents, yet the same outcome every single time Lionel Messi decides matches.”
“People always ask what makes certain players special. Well, special players break records. Legends create records. Messi is doing both at the same time while carrying the expectations of an entire nation.”
“I’ve played against some of the greatest footballers in history, I’ve watched some of the greatest footballers in history, but what Messi continues to do at 38 years old simply doesn’t make sense.”
“This is no longer about talent. This is no longer about numbers. This is football history unfolding right before our eyes, and every single match feels like another chapter in a story that nobody thought was possible.”
