Lionel Messi kicks off the World Cup for Argentina with three goals.

Messi Responds to Mbappé’s Achievement with Hat-Trick

Just a few hours after French sensation Kylian Mbappé surpassed Lionel Messi by scoring 13 goals, which places him third in World Cup history, Messi took the opportunity to respond—three times, in fact.

In a stellar performance in Kansas City, Messi netted a hat-trick, leading Argentina to a 3-0 victory in their opening match of the 2026 World Cup.

Argentina’s coach, Lionel Scaloni, was visibly impressed after the match, saying, “I’m at a loss for words about Leo. What should I say? He’s great.”

Messi kicked things off in the 17th minute, threading through the defense with a precise pass. He took a shot just outside the penalty area, and the ball soared over the reach of Algeria goalkeeper Luca Zidane, giving Argentina a 1-0 advantage.

But that was just the beginning. In the 60th minute, after Alexis Mac Allister’s attempt was blocked, Messi pounced on the rebound, doubling the lead to 2-0.

He completed his hat-trick just 16 minutes later, matching Miroslav Klose’s record with his 16th World Cup goal before exiting the field in the 80th minute.

Post-match, Messi expressed his joy: “I’m really pleased that I made it through everything I faced. It’s wonderful to be alive now. I feel so grateful for this amazing group. I’m having a blast.”

Both Messi and Mbappé—who scored twice in his match—still have ample opportunity in this World Cup. Argentina and France are strong contenders to make it to the knockout stages. For the first time, the tournament includes a Round of 32 stage, allowing players more chances to achieve their records.

This World Cup marks the sixth for the 38-year-old Messi, who might be facing his final run in an already illustrious career. He played a pivotal role in Argentina hosting the World Cup in 2022, the first time since 1986.

In contrast, 27-year-old Mbappé, who scored 14 goals in just 16 World Cup appearances, helped lead France to rebound from a slow start by scoring two goals in the second half of their match, securing a 3-1 win over Senegal.