Messi Scores 16th World Cup Goal, Ties All-Time Top Scorer Record

Argentine forward Lionel Messi took the lead as the top scorer in the 2026 World Cup after netting a hat-trick that helped Argentina secure victory in their opening match against Algeria. This performance raised his total World Cup goal tally to 16, equaling the all-time record for most goals scored in the tournament's history.

Messi's three goals in this match highlight his sustained excellence over two decades since his World Cup debut. He began his scoring journey in the 2006 World Cup with a goal against Serbia and Montenegro and continued to make significant impacts in subsequent editions, culminating in his peak performance during the 2022 tournament. He has now extended his record-setting career into the 2026 competition.

In the game against Algeria, Messi opened the scoring with a smart movement inside the penalty area followed by a powerful shot that found the net. He then capitalized on a defensive error and a goalkeeper mistake to add a second goal. His hat-trick was completed with a beautifully curved shot, sealing the match early and providing Argentina with an ideal start to the tournament.

This hat-trick marks several milestones for Messi: he is now tied with the historical record for most World Cup goals at 16, became the first player to score a hat-trick in the 2026 edition, and remains one of the highest-scoring players across five different World Cup tournaments. His consistent scoring across five consecutive World Cups since 2006 further cements his status as one of football's all-time greats.

Messi's World Cup journey began in 2006 and continued through the 2010, 2014, and 2018 editions, where he scored crucial goals, leading up to his historic triumph in 2022. He has now carried his record-breaking momentum into the 2026 World Cup, continuously redefining achievement boundaries in the sport.

As the tournament progresses, Messi continues to build on his exceptional legacy, demonstrating that his World Cup career still holds many historic chapters to be written.