Full list of World Cup records Messi holds, chases

Lionel Messi’s hat-trick in Argentina’s 3-0 win over Algeria at the 2026 World Cup saw him equal Miroslav Klose’s all-time scoring record of 16 goals while extending his list of World Cup records, including becoming the oldest player ever to score a hat-trick at the tournament.

Lionel Messi just turned a routine group-stage win into a history lesson.

According to Punch,The Argentina captain’s hat-trick in a 3-0 demolition of Algeria at the 2026 FIFA World Cup pulled him level with Germany’s Miroslav Klose on 16 World Cup goals, the all-time record, while also matching Klose’s tally of 17 World Cup victories. It was the first World Cup hat-trick of Messi’s career, and at 38 he became the oldest player to score three goals in a single World Cup match.

Messi is now the only player in World Cup history to have scored against eleven different national teams, surpassing the previous mark of ten jointly held by Ronaldo Nazário and Jürgen Klinsmann. Remarkably, his goals against Algeria came exactly 20 years to the day after his World Cup debut against Serbia and Montenegro — a match in which he also scored.

Asked about chasing history, Messi stayed characteristically grounded: “It’s an honor being up there for what it means, being alongside Klose and Ronaldo, who is there also. But it doesn’t mean anything,” he said, adding that Kylian Mbappé, who scored twice on the same day, is also closing in. He also opened up emotionally after his first goal: “I went through some difficult days, but I’m grateful to the entire delegation and my teammates because they were always by my side, giving me a lot of strength to help me get through it.”

Goals and Scoring

1. 16 World Cup goals — Equal with Miroslav Klose as the all-time top scorer.
2. Argentina’s all-time leading World Cup scorer, ahead of Gabriel Batistuta (10), Diego Maradona (8), Guillermo Stabile (8), Mario Kempes (6) and Gonzalo Higuain (5).
3. Highest-scoring South American in World Cup history, surpassing Brazil’s Ronaldo (15 goals).
4. Six long-range goals — now the outright record, surpassing Brazil’s Rivellino (5).
5. Scored in his teens, 20s and 30s — the only player to do so.
6. First and latest World Cup goals exactly 20 years apart — a record span.
7. Only player to score in every stage of a single World Cup (Qatar 2022).

Appearances

1. Played in six World Cup editions — the only player to do so.
2. 27 World Cup appearances and counting, on track to reach 30.
3. Most minutes played — 2,404, surpassing Paolo Maldini’s record.
4. 20 appearances as captain — outright record.

Assists, Creativity & Overall Impact

1. Assist in five different World Cups — a unique feat.
2. Joint record for most assists in the knockout phase (6, with Pelé).
3. Joint record for most goal contributions in a single World Cup (21, with Pelé).

Dribbling & Individual Awards

1. Most successful dribbles in World Cup history.
2. 46 dribbles at Brazil 2014, third-highest in a single tournament.
3. 12 Player of the Match awards — a record total.
4. Multiple adidas Golden Ball winner (2014, 2022) — only player to do so.

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