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Messi Ties Klose Record, Scores Hat-Trick at 38

6/21/2026

Summary

Messi Ties Record

Lionel Messi tied Klose’s World Cup record at 16 with a hat-trick in a 3-0 win over Algeria on June 21, 2026.
The hat-trick, his first at a World Cup, made him the oldest player (38) to score three goals.
It also gave Messi his 200th cap and his sixth World Cup appearance.
Messi said he was in tears for reasons after scoring, noting teammate Rodrigo De Paul’s claim that individual records matter little.

Summary

Mbappe Breaks

The inaugural 48-team 2026 World Cup has already seen opening-match hat-tricks, signaling a surge in record-breaking performances.
Kylian Mbappé’s two goals against Canada made him France’s all-time leading scorer, overtaking Thierry Henry’s 51-goal tally.
Harry Kane’s brace opened England’s campaign, joining Messi, Mbappé and Erling Haaland as first-day multiple-goal scorers.
Analysts note that the larger field and condensed schedule are speeding the setting of historic milestones.

Summary

Messi Elevates MLS

Messi’s 2023 move to Inter Miami raised MLS’s global profile and helped the club win titles.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni says Messi now defines the team’s tactics, formation and identity.
Rodrigo De Paul said the squad intensified joint training to reach peak condition for the World Cup.
Messi cited Rafael Nadal’s Netflix docuseries as inspiration for staying elite despite a lighter MLS schedule.

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Messi Ties Record

Lionel Messi tied Klose’s World Cup record at 16 with a hat-trick in a 3-0 win over Algeria on June 21, 2026.
The hat-trick, his first at a World Cup, made him the oldest player (38) to score three goals.
It also gave Messi his 200th cap and his sixth World Cup appearance.
Messi said he was in tears for reasons after scoring, noting teammate Rodrigo De Paul’s claim that individual records matter little.

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