Most international hat-tricks: Messi surpasses Ronaldo in Argentina’s WC 2026 opener

3 min readJun 17, 2026 10:40 AM IST

Lionel Messi bagged his first World Cup hat-trick for Argentina vs Algeria in Kansas City. (AP Photo)

Lionel Messi kick-started his record sixth World Cup appearance with a sensational performance as Argentina routed Algeria in their Group I opener in Kansas City on the back of their talisman’s hat-trick on Tuesday night.

Exactly 20 years since making his World Cup debut where he became Argentina’s youngest-ever World Cup scorer, Messi dazzled in his 200th international appearance, setting up a fiery start for the reigning world champions.

Messi’s first goal came in the 17th minute, curling a left-footed shot past Algeria goalkeeper Luca Zidane (the son of French legend Zinedine Zidane) from open play outside the box. The second goal came in a canter, after a teammate took a shot at goal, Zidane could not collect it and ended up sending it back into to play where Messi was at hand to seal the goal with a tap in.

ALSO READ | Messi, Messi, Messi: That familiar World Cup chant restarts after Argentina’s 3-0 win

Messi netted a record hat-trick in the 76th minute, where he clinically finished off some good build up play from his teammates. Just over a minute after he had completed his first hat-trick in World Cup history, Messi was subbed off to a standing ovation.

Three goals. One genius. Same old Messi magic. 🐐🇦🇷

Watch all 3 and tell me which one was your favorite. 👀✨ pic.twitter.com/0DcdJedVgJ

— Tobs Futball (@futball_lover01) June 17, 2026

Records tumble

The 38-year-old Messi edged out his long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo to become the oldest man to net a World Cup hat-trick. Ronaldo acheived the feat in 2018 at 33 years old.

Messi also bagged his 11th hat-trick in the Argentine shirt, overhauling Ronaldo’s tally of 10 hat-tricks to record the most hat-trick in men’s international football. Moreover, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner also equalled Germany’s Miroslav Klose as the joint-highest scorer in World Cup history.

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Most international hat-tricks

Player

Span

Hat-tricks

Lionel Messi (Argentina)

2012–2026

11

Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal

2013–2021

10

Sven Rydell (Sweden)

1924–1932

9

Ali Mabkhout (UAE)

2012–2021

9

Poul Nielsen (Norway)

1913–1921

8

Gerd Müller (Germany)

1967–1972

8

Messi full list of international hat-tricks

Messi’s latest hat-trick was the 61st hat-trick of his professional career, including club and country, five behind Ronaldo’s tally of 66 hat-tricks.

Date

Team

Opposition

Score

Tournament

Goals

29/02/2012

Argentina

Switzerland

3-1

Friendly

3

09/06/2012

Argentina

Brazil

4-3

Friendly

3

15/06/2013

Argentina

Guatemala

4-0

Friendly

3

11/06/2016

Argentina

Panama

5-0

Copa America

3

11/10/2017

Argentina

Ecuador

3-1

World Cup Qualifier

3

30/05/2018

Argentina

Haiti

4-0

Friendly

3

10/09/2021

Argentina

Bolivia

3-0

World Cup Qualifier

3

05/06/2022

Argentina

Estonia

5-0

Friendly

5

28/03/2023

Argentina

Curacao

7-0

Friendly

3

15/10/2024

Argentina

Bolivia

6-0

World Cup Qualifier

3

17/06/2026

Argentina

Algeria

3-0

World Cup 2026

3