FIFA WC 2026: More on the Cards for Messi After the Hat-trick

Messi opened Argentina’s campaign with a beautiful hat-trick against Algeria.

Just when people thought they could write off a 38-year-old Lionel Messi, who has nothing more to prove to the football fraternity, the Atomic Flea shushed everyone with a hat-trick in Argentina’s campaign opener against Algeria. Messi has made it clear that he isn't done yet, and his hat-trick has unlocked a path to multiple new records.

Records on the cards

By scoring his first tournament hat-trick, Messi has joined an elite list of hat-trick scorers in the history of the World Cup. However, only four players, i.e., Sándor Kocsis, Just Fontaine, Gerd Müller, and Gabriel Batistuta, have scored more than one hat-trick in the tournament. With games versus Austria and Jordan, Messi has the opportunity to do the impossible again.

Messi's victory against Algeria has tied him with Miroslav Klose for the greatest number of wins (17). One more victory and Messi will surpass Klose’s record. Not to forget, both players also tied for the highest number of goals in the tournament’s history at 16. One more goal by Messi and he will topple Klose’s longstanding record.

However, it is worth noting that Messi’s record may not remain intact for long because Kylian Mbappe is catching up, and with age on his side, he will soon topple Messi and Klose.

In terms of the most assists, Messi shares the record with the late Diego Maradona. One more assist and Messi will have nine assists, the highest in the tournament’s history.

There are two more impossible records on the cards for Messi. If the Argentine captain and his team manage to defend their title, Messi will become the first captain in the World Cup’s history to win the title back-to-back. Furthermore, if he scores a goal in the final, he will become the oldest player to do so.

Never met before

In the remaining two games of the group stage, Messi and Argentina will be against Austria and Jordan—teams they have never played before. Austria is currently ranked 24th in the FIFA ranking, whereas Jordan stands 63rd. Winning both games should be a formality for Messi and Argentina, but in recent editions, upsets have become the norm.

One goal in Dallas

Last but not least, Argentina’s remaining games are at the AT&T Stadium, currently known as Dallas Stadium. At this venue, Messi has played only one game in his entire career, a friendly against Mexico in 2015. The game ended in a 2-2 draw between the two sides.

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