Messi, 38, Breaks Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup Hat-Trick Age Record in Argentina’s Win Over Algeria

Lionel Messi etched his name deeper into World Cup history on Tuesday, 17 June 2026, becoming the oldest player ever to score a hat-trick at a FIFA World Cup during Argentina’s match against Algeria at Kansas City Stadium.

Messi completed the treble at the age of 38 years and 357 days — just days short of his 39th birthday — surpassing the record previously set by Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese forward had held that mark since the 2018 World Cup in Russia, where he scored a hat-trick against Spain in a 3-3 group-stage draw at the age of 33 years and 131 days. Messi has now claimed that distinction by more than five years of age.

The achievement carried additional historical weight for several reasons. Despite competing at six FIFA World Cups across his international career, this was the first hat-trick Messi had ever scored at the tournament. He chose his 200th international appearance to deliver it — on football’s grandest stage.

The goals also moved Messi level with Germany’s Miroslav Klose on 16 World Cup goals, making the pair joint all-time leading scorers in the competition’s history. Klose had held the outright record since surpassing Ronaldo Nazário at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. With Argentina still active in the 2026 tournament, Messi has the opportunity to claim the record outright before the end of June.

As ESPN FC noted on social media following the match, the age gap between Messi’s record and Ronaldo’s previous mark underscores just how remarkable the performance was at this stage of a professional career.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, has already produced a series of landmark individual moments. Messi’s display against Algeria now ranks among the most significant, given the context of his age, his milestone cap, and the records that fell in a single performance.

Messi has represented Argentina since his debut in 2005 and led the country to Copa América titles in 2021 and 2024, as well as the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar — a triumph widely considered the crowning achievement of his career. His continued involvement at the 2026 edition, at nearly 39 years of age, has already drawn considerable attention across the sport.

With Argentina targeting a deep run in the tournament, further record-breaking opportunities remain available to Messi. Should he surpass Klose’s tally of 16 goals, he would stand alone as the most prolific scorer in World Cup history — a record that has stood since Brazil 2014.