Exactly 20 years to the day after he scored on his World Cup debut, Lionel Messi proved he is still rewriting the record books. The 38-year-old — who turns 39 next week — scored his first-ever World Cup hat trick against Algeria on 16 June, became the oldest player to score three in a World Cup match, and drew level with Miroslav Klose as the all-time top scorer on 16 goals. It capped a night that began with him becoming the first man to play at six World Cups.
Lionel Messi’s World Cup records
No player has ever stood where Messi now stands across this many categories at once.
| Record | Detail |
|---|---|
| World Cups played | 6 (2006–2026) — first man ever |
| World Cup matches | 27 — all-time record |
| World Cup goals | 16 — level with Klose |
| Tournaments scored in | 5 — joint-most |
| Argentina caps | 200 (reached v Algeria) |
| This tournament | Hat trick v Algeria — oldest in World Cup history |
Six World Cups, one of one
By starting against Algeria, Messi broke a record shared by Cristiano Ronaldo, Antonio Carbajal, Andrés Guardado, Rafael Márquez and Lothar Matthäus, who all played five. It was also his 200th cap for Argentina and his 118th international goal — a tally bettered only by Ronaldo (143) in men’s international football. The hat trick made him just the second man to score at five different World Cups.
Messi’s goals at every World Cup
From a teenager in 2006 to a world champion chasing one final record, here is how Messi built his way to 16.
| Tournament | Goals | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 1 | Scored on debut v Serbia & Montenegro |
| 2010 | 0 | — |
| 2014 | 4 | Golden Ball; lost the final |
| 2018 | 1 | — |
| 2022 | 7 | Won the World Cup; Golden Ball |
| 2026 | 3 | Hat trick v Algeria (so far) |
| Total | 16 | Level with Klose |
Is Messi the GOAT?
Messi played the milestone down — “they are stats and nothing more,” he said — but his manager Lionel Scaloni was not so restrained: “At a loss for words about Leo. What can I say? He’s incredible.” With the 2022 World Cup already won and the all-time scoring record within one goal, the debate is fading fast. Argentina, who Messi captains, are among the tournament favourites — and he leads the Golden Boot race ahead of his closest challenger, Kylian Mbappé.
Six (2006–2026). He is the first player in history to appear at six World Cups.
Sixteen, level with Miroslav Klose as the all-time leading scorer, after his hat trick against Algeria in 2026.
Yes. Messi captained Argentina to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and also won the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player.
He is 38 and turns 39 on 24 June 2026, which made him the oldest player ever to score a World Cup hat trick.
Records correct as of Argentina’s opening match at the 2026 World Cup.