Messi Hat-Trick vs Algeria Ties Klose’s All-Time World Cup Record as Celebrities and Athletes React

Lionel Messi’s performance in Argentina’s opening 2026 FIFA World Cup fixture has reverberated well beyond the football community, generating significant crossover attention from celebrities, athletes, and cultural figures around the world.

Argentina defeated Algeria 3-0, with Messi claiming all three goals in what was his first hat-trick at a FIFA World Cup. The achievement carried historic weight: the tally took him to 16 career World Cup goals, drawing him level with Germany’s Miroslav Klose, whose record had stood as the all-time benchmark for goals scored at the tournament.

The match was played at Arrowhead Stadium, home of the Kansas City Chiefs, and counted among those in attendance was Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who posted a GOAT emoji on X shortly after the final whistle. NBA guard Trae Young offered a similarly concise tribute, posting “Messi” alongside a GOAT emoji on the same platform.

Notably, La Toya Jackson — sister of the late pop icon Michael Jackson — also added her voice to the chorus of praise. Her post on X, which read “MESSI IS INCREDIBLE!!!!” accompanied by three football emojis, accumulated over 1,000 likes. The reaction underscored the reach of Messi’s performance beyond conventional sports audiences.

Norway striker Erling Haaland, who had earlier scored twice in his own team’s victory against Iraq during the group stage, referenced Messi on his Snapchat stories. According to transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano, who shared the post on X, Haaland described the Argentine as a “madman” — a remark widely interpreted as a mark of admiration from one of the tournament’s other marquee forwards.

However, not all the post-match discussion centred on celebration. A challenge by Messi on Algeria’s Aïssa Mandi in the 37th minute generated sustained controversy, with several pundits arguing the incident warranted a red card. ESPN FC analysts Ale Moreno and Nedum Onuoha were among those who assessed the tackle critically on air. “It’s 100% a red card for Lionel Messi. It should’ve been,” Moreno stated in footage shared by ESPN FC on X. The VAR review did not result in a dismissal, a decision that continued to divide opinion on social media well after the final whistle.

Messi’s 16 World Cup goals now match Klose’s record, which the German striker set across four tournaments between 2002 and 2014. Klose’s tally of 16 had remained unchallenged for over a decade, with Messi entering the 2026 tournament needing one goal to equal it. The Argentine captain, now 38 years old, is widely expected to be competing in his final World Cup, adding additional significance to any further goals he scores in the competition.

Argentina’s result places them in a strong early position in their group, while the broader narrative around Messi’s individual milestones — and the ongoing discussion around the Mandi challenge — is likely to sustain attention on the team as the tournament progresses.