In Kansas, under the glare of a global audience, Lionel Messi delivered a World Cup performance that felt less like a group-stage opener and more like a farewell symphony. The Argentina captain struck a sublime hat-trick in a 3-0 victory over Algeria, powering the defending champions to a commanding start and etching his name even deeper into football’s record books.

Messi’s treble drew him level with Germany’s Miroslav Klose at the summit of the World Cup all-time scoring charts with 16 goals, and also made him the oldest player ever to score multiple times in a finals match, surpassing Roger Milla. At 38, he played with the hunger and sharpness of a debutant, yet with the poise of a man who has seen every possible scenario on this stage.

Argentina’s midfield, marshalled by Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister and Rodrigo De Paul, provided the platform, but the night belonged entirely to the number 10. His first goal came on 17 minutes, when De Paul sliced open the Algerian defence with a precise through ball. Messi took it on the half-turn and bent a sumptuous left-footed strike beyond goalkeeper Luca Zidane, the son of French legend Zinedine Zidane.

The second arrived on the hour. Mac Allister’s drive was parried into danger and Messi, alert and ruthless, swept the rebound home with his weaker right foot. Sixteen minutes later, he completed the hat-trick in fitting style, drifting to the edge of the area before curling a low, bending shot inside the far post, a finish that seemed to pause time as it arced beyond Zidane’s reach.

Substituted soon after, Messi left the pitch to a standing ovation from a crowd overwhelmingly clad in sky blue and white. Even Algerian supporters rose to acknowledge the moment, aware they had witnessed a slice of history from perhaps the greatest player the tournament has ever seen.

Beyond the goals, Messi dictated the rhythm of Argentina’s play, leading the match in shots and touches in the opposition box while contributing tirelessly off the ball. On his 200th international appearance, he looked anything but a fading star. If this is indeed his last World Cup, the opening act suggests he intends to leave with every possible record – and another trophy – in his grasp.