Messi Equals Klose's All-Time World Cup Record — Wife Antonela and Sons Celebrate Historic Hat-Trick

Lionel Messi has done it again. On the opening night of Argentina's 2026 World Cup campaign, the 38-year-old captain delivered a masterclass against Algeria, scoring three goals in a 3–0 Group J victory — and in doing so, equalled Miroslav Klose's all-time men's World Cup scoring record of 16 goals.

The Hat-Trick

Messi needed just 17 minutes to open the scoring, finishing a trademark left-footed curler from the edge of the box. His second came on the hour mark, a clinical strike after a devastating counter-attack. The third — and the historic one — arrived in the 76th minute, sending the stadium into delirium as the number 16 flashed across every screen in the stadium.

It was Messi's first World Cup hat-trick, and only the 53rd in the tournament's 96-year history.

A Record 87 Years in the Making

Klose's record of 16 World Cup goals had stood since 2014, when the German striker surpassed Ronaldo Nazário's 15 at the Brazil World Cup. Now Messi sits level — and with at least two more group games to play, the outright record is firmly within reach.

| Player | Goals | World Cups | |---|---|---| | Lionel Messi | 16 | 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, 2026 | | Miroslav Klose | 16 | 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014 | | Ronaldo Nazário | 15 | 1998, 2002, 2006 | | Gerd Müller | 14 | 1970, 1974 | | Pelé | 12 | 1958, 1962, 1966, 1970 |

Family in the Stands

As has become tradition for the Messi family, wife Antonela Roccuzzo was in the stands alongside their three sons — Thiago (13), Mateo (11), and Ciro (8). Cameras captured the family's emotional reaction to each goal, with the boys leaping from their seats as their father made history.

Antonela shared the moment on her Instagram story immediately after the final whistle — a simple photo of the scoreboard with three heart emojis. Within minutes, it had been screenshot and shared millions of times across social media.

"They are my everything. When I look up and see them there, I feel invincible." — Messi, post-match interview

The Farewell Tour Continues

This is almost certainly Messi's last World Cup. At 38 — he turns 39 on June 24, just days from now — the Argentina captain is writing the final chapter of the greatest career football has ever seen. And if the opening act is anything to go by, this farewell tour is going to be unforgettable.

Argentina next face Group J opponents as they chase a place in the knockout rounds and the defence of the title they won so memorably in Qatar 2022.