Questions about whether Lionel Messi should compete in the 2026 World Cup evaporated on Tuesday as the Argentine forward delivered a historic performance that reignited conversations about his place among soccer's all-time greats.
Messi scored three goals in Argentina's 3-0 victory over Algeria at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, marking the opening match of Group J play. The capacity crowd of nearly 70,000 witnessed the defending champions begin their title defense with a commanding performance led by their 38-year-old captain.
The hat-trick represented a milestone achievement in Messi's illustrious career. Despite numerous World Cup appearances dating back two decades, he had never before scored three goals in a single World Cup match. The performance came exactly twenty years after he netted his first World Cup goal, adding a poignant symmetry to the achievement.
With the three goals, Messi moved into a tie for the all-time World Cup scoring lead with 16 goals, matching the record held by Germany's Miroslav Klose. The accomplishment silenced critics who questioned whether the forward, approaching his 39th birthday, possessed the fitness and form necessary to compete at the highest level of international soccer.
Messi's performance establishes him as an early frontrunner for the Golden Boot award, presented to the tournament's top goal scorer. However, several elite strikers demonstrated on Tuesday that the competition for the honor will be fierce.
French superstar Kylian Mbappé scored twice in France's 3-1 victory over Senegal, bringing his career World Cup total to 14 goals. The performance allowed Mbappé to surpass Brazilian legend Pele and move into a tie for third place on the all-time World Cup scoring list.
Norway's Erling Haaland also tallied two goals in his team's 4-1 triumph over Iraq, announcing his presence as another serious contender for the Golden Boot. Additional players who recorded two goals in the tournament's opening matches include Folarin Balogun of the United States, New Zealand's Elijah Just, and Germany's Kai Havertz.
Wednesday's matches will provide additional opportunities for established stars to enter the scoring race. Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, at 41 years old, will lead his team against the Democratic Republic of Congo in their tournament opener, though uncertainty remains regarding his playing time. England's Harry Kane and Croatia's Luka Modrić will face each other in a Group L match that features two of the sport's most accomplished players.
The opening days of the 2026 World Cup have established a pattern of prolific scoring and record-breaking performances. If the trend continues, the tournament promises to rewrite the record books and deliver one of the most competitive Golden Boot races in World Cup history.
For Messi, the performance represents vindication after questions about his age and fitness dominated pre-tournament discussions. Rather than showing signs of decline, the Argentine demonstrated that his technical skill and goal-scoring instinct remain as sharp as ever, positioning himself for what could be a triumphant final World Cup appearance.
