World Cup Player of the Day - Day 7: Messi Does What Messi Does as Holders Argentina Make Ideal Start to Title Defence
Tom Hancock
Kylian Mbappe bagged an historic brace; Erling Haaland scored twice on his first World Cup appearance. Lionel Messi had to go and outdo the pair of them.
Just over a week short of his 39th birthday Argentina’s age-transcending captain ensured he left his mark on what might well be his final World Cup, hitting a hat-trick to get the defending champions off to a flyer with a 3-0 win over Algeria in Kansas City.
With Super Bowl-winning quarterback Patrick Mahomes among those watching on, Messi crossed off another milestone: his first World Cup hat-trick made him the oldest player to achieve the feat on football’s grandest stage.
In doing so, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winning equalled Miroslav Klose’s record of 16 World Cup goals – a matter of hours after Mbappe had moved within two of that tally as he inspired France to a 3-1 victory over Senegal.
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The World Cup has long been Messi’s stage, and the diminutive genius marked his sixth appearance at the finals – a record equalled by Cristiano Ronaldo later on Wednesday – in the best possible way.
Argentina are not a one-man team – the World Cup holders have quality throughout – but they could have got away with being so as Messi singlehandedly blew Algeria away, leaving goalkeeper Luca Zidane helpless over and over again.
The fact Messi played against Luca’s father, the legendary Zinedine Zidane, earlier in his career is testament to his sheer longevity.
The World Cup may never see another talent like Messi, so savour what he’s still got left to give – and don’t be remotely surprised if he plays an integral role in Argentina becoming the first nation to retain the trophy since Brazil way back in 1962.
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