The Argentine captain’s 16th career World Cup goal equalled Miroslav Klose’s record, while his hat-trick also broke Pelé’s tournament goal contributions mark and made him the first player to feature in six editions
Lionel Messi broke several historical milestones during Argentina’s 3-0 win over Algeria on June 16, 2026, at Arrowhead Stadium, rewriting the World Cup record books in a single masterful performance.
Messi’s hat-trick brought him to 16 career World Cup goals, drawing him level with Germany’s Miroslav Klose for the most goals scored in tournament history. He also became the first player in football history to feature in six separate World Cup editions, having played in every tournament since 2006.
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The Argentine captain’s three goals moved him to 24 direct tournament goal involvements, officially breaking Pelé’s long-standing FIFA record of 21. He also became one of the few players to score a hat-trick in two different World Cup tournaments, following his treble against Haiti in a prior cycle.
The match marked his 200th official appearance for the Argentina senior national team, making him the first South American player to ever hit this milestone. At 24 goal contributions, Messi now stands alone at the top of the tournament’s creative table.
Messi’s 16 goals place him level with Klose, with Ronaldo Nazário (15), Gerd Müller (14), and Just Fontaine (13) trailing behind. France captain Kylian Mbappé also sits on 13 goals and remains the most immediate threat to catch the Argentine, though Messi now shares the record outright.
According to a report by Accra Street Journal, the performance cements Messi’s legacy as the greatest player in World Cup history, with only Klose’s record equalled but the tournament still ongoing. With the knockout stage beckoning, Messi has every opportunity to claim the record outright and cement his name as the tournament’s sole all-time top scorer.
Source: Accra Street Journal
Last Updated on June 17, 2026 by Samuel Kwame Boadu
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Samuel Kwame Boadu is a Ghanaian media entrepreneur and storyteller with a passion for amplifying urban voices and uncovering everyday truths. He is the Editor-in-Chief and Founder of Accra Street Journal, a dynamic digital platform dedicated to capturing the pulse of Ghana’s capital—its people, culture, challenges, business, sports and innovations.
