Messi's Historic Hat-Trick at 2026 World Cup
Messi rewrites the record books again. This time, he does it on Ronaldo’s turf.
On a hot Tuesday night in Kansas City, the 38-year-old Argentina captain opened his 2026 World Cup with a performance that felt part exhibition, part statement. Algeria were the opponents, but for many watching, the real context was the never-ending argument that trails every touch of his left boot: Messi or Ronaldo?
Oldest World Cup hat-trick – and it belongs to Messi now
By the time the final whistle sounded, Argentina had a 3-0 win, three points, and top spot in Group J. Messi had all three goals. He also had Cristiano Ronaldo’s record.
At 38 years and 357 days, Messi became the oldest player ever to score a World Cup hat-trick, surpassing Ronaldo’s mark set in 2018. The Portuguese forward was 33 years and 130 days old when he tore through Spain in that famous group-stage thriller in Russia.
Kansas City Stadium was packed and partisan, a sea of sky blue and white, waiting to see how the reigning champions would start their title defence. Messi did not ease into it. He owned it. Every Argentina attack seemed to bend towards him, every Algerian clearance felt temporary.
The pressure finally told. Then it told again. And again.
Argentina take early control of Group J
The win drops Argentina neatly on top of Group J, ahead of Austria, Jordan, and Algeria after the opening round of fixtures. One game, three points, three goals from the captain. It’s the kind of clean, authoritative start defending champions crave.
This is a group they are expected to control, but expectation can suffocate as easily as it can inspire. Messi’s hat-trick sliced through that tension on day one.
Next comes Austria on Monday, then Jordan five days later. Both matches are set for Dallas Stadium, a venue that will now brace for the travelling circus that follows Messi and this Argentina side everywhere they go. With a perfect start banked, those two games offer a chance to tighten their grip on first place and manage minutes in a long tournament.
Ronaldo’s answer coming in Miami
While Messi was rewriting age records in Kansas City, Ronaldo and Portugal were still waiting in the wings. Their World Cup begins on Wednesday against the Democratic Republic of Congo at Miami Stadium, the first step in a group that also includes Uzbekistan and Colombia.
Uzbekistan arrive on Tuesday. Colombia await on June 27. Three games in Miami, three chances for Ronaldo to push Portugal into the knockouts and keep his own legend humming alongside Messi’s.
The task is simple on paper for both icons: finish at least second in the group and move into the last 32, where 30 other teams will be waiting. The reality is far more unforgiving. One bad night, one lapse, and a World Cup can tilt off its axis.
The weight of the crown
Argentina do not come into this tournament as just another contender. They are the defending champions, the team that broke a 36-year wait in 2022 by outlasting Kylian Mbappé and France in that wild, nerve-shredding final decided on penalties.
That history follows them into every stadium. It sharpens opponents, fuels underdogs, and paints a target across every Argentina shirt, none larger than the No. 10.
On Tuesday in Kansas City, under the glare of a new World Cup and an old debate, Messi carried that weight again and turned it into something familiar: goals, records, victory.
Ronaldo’s reply is coming. The question now is not whether these two will shape this World Cup, but how long they can keep bending the biggest stage in football to their will.
