Lionel Messi announced his arrival at the 2026 World Cup in spectacular fashion, scoring a hat trick as Argentina blanked Algeria 3-0 in Kansas City. The 38-year-old forward became the first player to compete in six different men's World Cups while setting a new record as the oldest player to net three goals in a single tournament match.

Messi's first World Cup hat trick in his 11th international treble pushed him to 16 career tournament goals, tying him with Miroslav Klose for the all-time scoring mark. This performance came in his tournament debut, extending his legacy as Argentina's all-time leading scorer. The Albiceleste face Austria in Dallas on Monday looking to build momentum.

NFL quarterback Patrick Mahomes watched from the stands with his wife Brittany, posting a goat emoji after Messi's second goal and three emojis following the third. Fellow athletes including Trae Young, Rio Ferdinand, Alan Shearer, and Carli Lloyd flooded social media with praise, recognizing the Argentine's continued dominance on football's biggest stage.

At 38, Messi proves age is just a number when quality meets opportunity. His record-tying performance validates why he remains the sport's biggest attraction, regardless of which pitch he graces.