KANSAS CITY, Missouri — Lionel Messi made a powerful statement Tuesday night, scoring three goals to lead Argentina to a 3-0 victory over Algeria in World Cup action, putting to rest any questions about whether the 38-year-old legend still has what it takes at the highest level.
The performance came just one day after Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni declared that Messi was “even more” vital to the defending champions than ever before — and Messi wasted no time proving him right.
The milestone-filled evening included Messi tying Miroslav Klose’s record of 16 goals, giving him a share of the all-time men’s scoring mark at the World Cup. It also marked his record sixth World Cup appearance and his 200th cap for the Argentine national team — all of it coming exactly 20 years after he scored his very first World Cup goal.
Messi’s impact was felt from nearly the opening whistle. In just the second minute, he stripped Algeria of possession deep in their own territory, a moment that foreshadowed the intensity he would bring throughout the match. Midfielder Rodrigo De Paul assisted on Messi’s first goal in the 17th minute and spoke glowingly of his teammate afterward.
“It’s an advantage to have Leo, because of how he manages the group and drives it forward,” De Paul said. “He doesn’t pay attention to individual records. He prioritises the team, and for us that’s incredible.”
The night carried added emotional weight given that this World Cup — hosted across the United States, Mexico, and Canada — is widely expected to be Messi’s last. Argentine supporters inside the Kansas City stadium expressed their reverence openly, bowing repeatedly in his direction throughout the match. When Messi was substituted out for Nico Paz in the 80th minute, the crowd’s reaction was no less enthusiastic. The day before, fans had gathered at Mill Creek Park wearing shirts that read “Messiah.”
The match was played in a venue where Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has long been a fan favorite — but Tuesday night, Mahomes himself was in the stands watching Messi. The NFL star took to social media to share a video of the Argentine along with a goat emoji, a widely recognized symbol meaning “greatest of all time.”
Messi arrived at the tournament still recovering from a muscle strain and had only recently been eased back into game action. His three-goal night erased any lingering concerns about his physical condition.
Coach Scaloni was at a loss for words when asked to describe what he witnessed. “Speechless for Leo. What can I say? He’s incredible. He’s been doing this for 20 years. Everyone in soccer wants to watch him and enjoys it,” Scaloni said after the final whistle.
