Messi hat-trick ties Klose's World Cup record as Henry declares 'Leo is just different'

Lionel Messi delivered one of the defining performances of the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday, scoring a hat-trick in Argentina’s 3-0 victory over Algeria to equal Miroslav Klose’s all-time record for goals scored in men’s World Cup history.

The three-goal haul arrived exactly 20 years after Messi netted on his World Cup debut against Serbia and Montenegro — a symmetry that underlined the extraordinary arc of his international career. With the record now level, Messi stands alone alongside Klose at the summit of the sport’s most prestigious individual scoring landmark.

FOX Sports analyst and France legend Thierry Henry was unequivocal in his assessment after the final whistle. “He reminded us why he is who he is and Argentina reminded us that they are the oldest,” Henry said. “Let’s not forget about them, but Leo is just different.”

Henry’s reference to Argentina’s age was pointed. Despite fielding the oldest squad at the tournament, the reigning world champions showed no signs of slowing, with Messi dictating the match from first minute to last against Algeria.

Zlatan Ibrahimović, who had spoken before kick-off about the privilege of watching Messi play, offered a characteristically succinct verdict: “I said ‘watch and enjoy,’ and that’s what we did.”

FOX Sports analyst Stu Holden captured the mood of those watching live. “Tonight was just another one of those ‘pinch me’ moments, where I just feel so fortunate to be in the position that we are in to witness greatness,” he said. “It’s the fact that he delivers greatness time after time.”

For Messi, the performance was another chapter in a World Cup story that has now spanned two decades. Whether he has the chance to break Klose’s record outright will depend on how far Argentina progress — but on this evidence, few would bet against him.