Messi Equals World Cup Goal Record With Hat-Trick in Sixth World Cup

Lionel Messi has added another historic achievement to world football by making his sixth World Cup appearance unforgettable. Inspired by captain Messi’s hat-trick, defending champions Argentina began their World Cup title defense with a winning start. In Tuesday’s match at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, the 38-year-old Messi scored three goals and took his total World Cup goal tally to 16.

With the hat-trick, Messi equaled former Germany striker Miroslav Klose’s all-time World Cup record of 16 goals. The match was also special for another reason, as Messi played his 200th international match and became the first footballer to appear in six editions of the World Cup. Messi, who first played in the World Cup as a teenager in Germany in 2006, added another remarkable chapter to his two-decade journey. In the Group J match, Argentina controlled the game from the beginning, and Messi gave his team the lead in the 17th minute with a beautiful curling strike.