Lionel Messi breaks Cristiano Ronaldo's World Cup record

Lionel Messi etched his name even deeper into football history after breaking a World Cup record previously held by Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Argentina captain produced a remarkable display in his side’s 3-0 victory over Algeria at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, scoring a stunning hat-trick to become the oldest player ever to achieve the feat in the tournament’s history.

The historic outing also added to an already remarkable list of World Cup milestones for the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner. Messi became the first player to feature in six FIFA World Cup tournaments and marked the occasion by recording the first World Cup hat-trick of his illustrious international career.

Messi’s three goals took his World Cup tally to 16, moving him level with the tournament’s all-time leading men’s goalscorer and further cementing his status among the greatest players in football history. The performance also came in his 200th appearance for Argentina, adding another layer of significance to an unforgettable night for the reigning world champions and their inspirational captain.

The record-breaking display has inevitably reignited comparisons with Ronaldo, whose previous mark as the oldest player to score a World Cup hat-trick had stood as one of the competition’s iconic achievements.

However, with Portugal still preparing to begin their 2026 World Cup campaign, the long-standing rivalry between the two superstars has once again taken centre stage, as fans eagerly await Ronaldo’s response on football’s grandest stage.