Lionel Messi creates more history with Argentina after stunning hat-trick reveals World Cup reality

Lionel Messi and this love story with the 2026 World Cup is inspiring. The game’s most-loved player, Argentina’s most famous son, delivered another fine performance as his first ever World Cup hat-trick propelled Argentina to their fourth star.

It would be easy to forget the pain and sorrow felt in this incredible tour of Argentina, before that exit of happiness and the end of Doha in 2022. But beyond France’s super-charged Kylian Mbappe and Spain’s incredible Lamine Yamal, Argentina’s dream of beating Kansas City on a night of brilliance wins 3 sky titles. The Algerian team was blinded by the light of No 10’s image.

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More history was made at the Fifa World Cup with this third team in what was Messi’s sixth tournament. This was also the 61st hat-trick of a career that refused to appear. The Argentine side, who have threatened to recover in recent years since beating France on penalties, now have a three-point lead from Group J thanks to their little bit of magic.

The Barcelona superstar’s old box of tricks remains formidable, too, even at the age of 38; notably with that glorious third. There was also a positive reaction after the heir to his throne, Mbappe, shone in New York as Les Bleus won 3-1 after a strong second half against Senegal. If the French star already owns it to the pitch, then the aura around Messi confirms, like the ancient pugilistic rule to be crowned the best: to be a champion, you must beat the champion. And although football will not always guarantee that, the date that will be held in New Jersey on July 19 and the rematch is still alive, if both teams win their groups and go through the knockout stage.

While it does not have an obvious new generation, Argentina remains talented, with Lautaro Martinez, preferred Julian Alvarez by Lionel Scaloni alongside Messi, or any other firecracker, and Enzo Fernandez of Chelsea is among the most complete midfielders in the game. But their first task is always simple, to give Messi the ball every time in that inside right channel and watch with glee.

Nico Gonzalez understood the task, lobbing the ball into the penalty area to the Inter Miami striker, whose permanent contact killed the ball. Then two more dabs on the ball put the ball well outside his left foot. There was danger for Algeria, obviously, and an inevitability about the fine finish that followed when the ball curled into the bottom left corner to kill the game.

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Subrogated just after the 79th minute, Scaloni appeared to be laughing at the footballing public watching the sixth day of the star-studded tournament. A fourth and straight record will have to wait, but Messi has already done a lot to overshadow the other two stars. Mbappe’s double took him to fourth place in the top goalscorer’s chart at the age of just 27, but another danger in front of goal presented itself on a new stage. In the first match of the World Cup, Erling Haaland inspired Norway to a 3-1 victory over Iraq thanks to a goal.

Before this Argentine carnival atmosphere heated up, however, Argentina broke into a sweat, as Algeria briefly calmed the tension, Arrowhead officially holds the Guinness World Record for the loudest crowd in an outdoor stadium at 142.2 decibels. Fares Chaibi’s hidden spot at the near post was ruled out by VAR.

Rodrigo De Paul made a fitting comeback this week for the most beloved athlete in sports: quarterback Patrick Mahomes. The midfielder’s pass cut through Algeria, piercing the pitch with a total of six bodies to find Messi’s feet. A quick turn and run towards goal left Algeria reeling and a powerful strike cut off the deadlock, despite Luca Zidane’s narrow effort. It ensured that Messi is now Argentina’s youngest goalscorer and the oldest at the World Cup, having first left his indelible mark as an 18-year-old in 2006.

It was two on the hour when Alexis Mac Allister’s strike went wide and out of Zidane’s hands, Messi was given a second, and was neatly placed at the near post.

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The grief from the stands had long since evaporated and Argentina left the best until the end, with Messi’s exclamation point from the edge of the area.

Klose is now dangerously clinging to his most famous player since his career and Messi could still claim it for himself next Monday against Austria in Dallas. This was a delightful reminder of Messi’s ability to rewrite the script, but not just any script. Distracted by his endless brilliance at Barcelona, ​​it was a journey with Argentina that forged a strong emotional connection with the world of football. Many knew this would be his last ride on this magnificent stage, but this performance shows it could be his most compelling yet.