Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick in Argentina's 3:0 victory over Algeria on 17 June to reach 16 World Cup goals, equalling the all-time record set by Germany's Miroslav Klose. The 38-year-old became the most prolific World Cup goalscorer from South America, surpassing Brazil's Ronaldo, who holds 15 goals.
Messi's trio of goals at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City highlighted Argentina's dominant Group J opener. The achievement places him in elite company alongside Klose; Germany's Gerd Müller (14 goals) and France's Kylian Mbappé (14 goals) follow in the all-time list.
The hat-trick marks another historic milestone in Messi's international career. At 38 years old, Messi has now competed in six World Cups and continues to set records, having also become the first male player to participate in six tournaments.
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