Lionel Messi delivered a historic performance on Tuesday, scoring the first World Cup hat-trick of his illustrious career as defending champions Argentina opened their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign with a commanding 3-0 victory over Algeria. The 38-year-old superstar lit up Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, where more than 69,000 fans witnessed another milestone in a career already packed with records. Messi became the first footballer to play in six FIFA World Cups when he led Argentina onto the pitch for his 200th international appearance. He then added another chapter to his legacy by scoring three goals and moving level with Germany’s Miroslav Klose as the joint highest scorer in World Cup history with 16 goals. Argentina dominated from the opening whistle and rarely allowed Algeria a chance to settle. Messi opened the scoring in the 17th minute. He curled a brilliant strike into the corner to register his 14th World Cup goal. The effort moved him level with German legend Gerd Muller and France captain Kylian Mbappe in the all-time rankings. Historic Hat-Trick Delights Argentina Fans The Argentine captain reached another landmark in the 60th minute. He reacted quickest after Alexis Mac Allister’s effort rebounded into his path and calmly slotted home for his second goal of the night. That strike lifted Messi to 15 World Cup goals and placed him alongside Brazilian great Ronaldo. Lionel Messi vs. Argelia Copa del Mundo 2026pic.twitter.com/bh6x9J11qi — Agustín Iseas (@AgustinIseas10) June 17, 2026 The record-equalling moment arrived in the 76th minute. Messi collected the ball near the edge of the area and fired a low finish beyond the goalkeeper to complete his hat-trick. The crowd erupted as the Argentine icon drew level with Klose on 16 World Cup goals. Four minutes later, coach Lionel Scaloni substituted Messi. Fans rose to their feet and applauded as he left the field after one of the finest World Cup performances of his career. The victory gave Argentina an ideal start in Group J as they pursue a second consecutive World Cup title after their dramatic triumph over France in the 2022 final in Qatar. Mbappe and Haaland Also Shine Elsewhere, France opened their campaign with a 3-1 win over Senegal. Kylian Mbappe scored twice and became France’s all-time leading scorer with 58 international goals, moving past Olivier Giroud. “There are still people out there who will criticise him but he is an extraordinary player,” France coach Didier Deschamps said. “Not everything came off for him, but he can win games in one moment.” Norway also enjoyed a winning start. Erling Haaland scored twice in a 4-1 victory over Iraq in Foxborough. The Manchester City striker increased his international tally to 57 goals in just 51 appearances. “You could see that he adapted to the occasion, the occasion wasn’t too big for him,” Norway coach Stale Solbakken said. “I had a good feeling before the game. I had quite a comfortable feeling that he would do it for us today.” With Messi, Mbappe and Haaland all making headlines, the race for World Cup glory and football immortality has begun in spectacular fashion.
Meet the Eight Players Over 40 Heading to the FIFA World Cup
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will feature a record number of players aged 40 or older, highlighting how elite footballers continue to extend their careers through fitness, nutrition and sports science. Eight players aged 40 and above will compete in the tournament across Canada, Mexico and the United States. That total exceeds the combined number from the previous 22 World Cups. The list includes Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modric, Edin Dzeko, Manuel Neuer and Guillermo Ochoa. Their presence challenges the idea that top-level football belongs only to younger players. Portugal captain Ronaldo, now 41, will make history as the first player to appear in six FIFA World Cups. Mexico goalkeeper Ochoa, 40, will also reach that milestone. Argentina captain Lionel Messi, who turns 39 later this month, remains one of football’s most influential figures. He led Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar and now aims to add another chapter to his remarkable career. Veteran Stars Chasing More History Ronaldo arrives with a record few players can match. He has scored in each of the five World Cups he has played. Portugal coach Roberto Martinez believes experience remains Ronaldo’s greatest asset. “None have lived what he has in the number of decisive games he’s played over his career,” Martinez said. “He also brings experience in decisive moments that nobody else in the squad can match.” Croatia’s Modric and Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Dzeko also have an opportunity to make history. Both players could join a very exclusive group of over-40 World Cup goalscorers. Only Cameroon’s Roger Milla has achieved that feat. He scored at the age of 42 during the 1994 World Cup in the United States and remains the oldest scorer in tournament history. More than three decades later, his record still stands. Goalkeepers Continue to Defy Age Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon will be the oldest player at the tournament. At 43, he could become the second-oldest player ever to appear in a World Cup match. Only Egypt’s Essam El Hadary ranks ahead of him. The Egyptian goalkeeper played at 45 during the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Gordon is likely to serve as backup to Angus Gunn. However, even a single appearance would secure his place in the record books. Germany’s Manuel Neuer, who helped his country win the 2014 World Cup, hopes to recover from a calf injury before Germany’s opening match against Curaçao. Cape Verde’s Vozinha and Uruguay’s Fernando Muslera, who turns 40 during the tournament, complete the group of veteran players. Recent injuries have affected both Messi and Ronaldo. Even so, neither player’s legacy faces any threat. Their achievements already rank among the greatest in football history. The 2026 World Cup now offers one more opportunity for football’s elder statesmen to prove they can still perform on the sport’s biggest stage.
Lionel Messi’s Massive MLS Salary Leaves Rivals Far Behind
Argentina captain Lionel Messi remains Major League Soccer’s highest-paid player after signing a new contract extension with Inter Miami CF that keeps him with the club through the 2028 season. The MLS Players Association released its latest salary figures on Tuesday, showing Messi earns an annual base salary of $25 million. His guaranteed compensation stands at $28.3 million. The updated figures place Messi far ahead of the rest of the league. His base salary is more than double that of the second-highest paid player, Son Heung-min. Read More: Messi Reacts as Trump Praises Cristiano Ronaldo at White House The South Korean forward joined Los Angeles FC last August after leaving Tottenham Hotspur F.C.. Reports said LAFC paid a league-record transfer fee of around $26 million to sign him. According to the salary data, Son earns a base salary of $10.36 million with total guaranteed compensation reaching $11.2 million. The MLS Players Association figures do not include commercial endorsements or outside sponsorship income. Messi’s compensation package also excludes his option to acquire a stake in Inter Miami, the Florida-based club co-owned by former England captain David Beckham. Messi’s impact continues on and off the pitch Messi joined Inter Miami in 2023 after leaving Paris Saint-Germain F.C.. His arrival transformed the club’s global profile and boosted MLS television ratings, ticket sales and sponsorship revenues. The 38-year-old forward has scored 59 goals in 64 MLS regular-season matches for Miami. He led the league with 29 goals last season and won the MLS Most Valuable Player award for the second straight year. Messi is also preparing to lead Argentina national football team in its FIFA World Cup title defence next month. Inter Miami teammate Rodrigo De Paul ranks third on the MLS salary list with guaranteed compensation of $9.7 million. Read More: Messi vs. Ronaldo Money Battle: Who Made More in 2025? Mexico international Hirving Lozano sits fourth with $9.3 million in guaranteed compensation despite not featuring for San Diego FC since November. Miguel Almirón rounds out the top five earners. The Atlanta United FC midfielder receives guaranteed compensation of $7.9 million. MLS spending rises as league targets global stars The latest figures highlight MLS’s growing financial strength as clubs continue to attract established international players. Total league compensation now stands at $631 million, according to the players union. Average guaranteed compensation across MLS rose to $688,816. The figure marks an 8.9% increase from salary data released in October last year. MLS clubs have increasingly targeted globally recognised players in recent seasons to expand the league’s international reach and commercial appeal. Read More: Ronaldo Talks Life After Football: The Dream Home He’s Planning Messi’s arrival remains the biggest turning point for the league’s global visibility. Apple TV subscriptions for MLS Season Pass surged after his move to Miami, while stadium attendance records also climbed across several cities. Inter Miami currently ranks among the league’s most valuable franchises, helped largely by Messi’s influence on and off the field.
