Hat-trick at 38: Messi equals Klose's World Cup record, Yamal hails him 'greatest player ever'

Lionel Messi signed a hat-trick at 38 years old in his World Cup 2026 debut, guiding Argentina to a 3-0 victory over Algeria. With these three goals, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner joins German Miroslav Klose at the top of the all-time World Cup goalscorers list with 16 goals.

Lamine Yamal, the prodigious winger for FC Barcelona, was quick to react. When asked by RTVE, the young Spaniard was emphatic: “Every match he plays proves he is the greatest player in history. If some still have doubts, it’s because they’re deliberately looking for them. Leo is the GOAT!”

Messi’s performance reignites the debate over his longevity at the highest level. At an age when most players have hung up their boots, the Argentine continues to make an impact at major international tournaments. His hat-trick against Algeria marks his first goals in this edition of the World Cup, hosted in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

With 16 World Cup goals, Messi now equals Klose’s all-time record, set during the 2014 World Cup in Germany. The Argentine still has several matches remaining to attempt to claim sole possession of first place in this historic ranking.