Messi has scored five goals in two matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. /HANDOUT
Lionel Messi has continued to cement his reputation as one of football's greatest players with an exceptional display at the ongoing tri-nation FIFA World Cup, scoring five goals in two matches, including a hat-trick.
The Argentine superstar struck three times in Argentina's Group J opener against African representatives Algeria on June 16 as the South Americans cruised to a 3-0 victory.
On June 22, the talismanic forward nearly repeated the feat against Austria. Messi missed a penalty but still found the net twice in Argentina's second group-stage match, enabling the team to book a spot in the group of 32.
His latest exploits have once again captured global attention, with football fans and pundits celebrating another chapter in a career that has been defined by record-breaking achievements.
Beyond the goals and memorable moments, however, the boy from Rosario who almost saw his football dreams derailed by a growth hormone deficiency has once again rewritten the history books.
Following Argentina's victory over Austria, Messi became the outright leading goalscorer in FIFA World Cup finals history with 18 goals.
The achievement saw him surpass the previous record of 16 goals held by German striker Miroslav Klose, a mark that had stood since July 8, 2014.
The Austria match also elevated Messi to another historic milestone. He now holds the record for the most FIFA World Cup appearances by any player, having featured in 28 matches.
Before Messi's ascent, the record belonged to German legend Lothar Matthäus, who made 25 appearances across five World Cups between 1982 and 1998.
Klose sits third on the all-time list with 24 matches, while Italian great Paolo Maldini made 23 World Cup appearances.
Messi's influence on Argentina's success has been equally historic. With 18 World Cup victories, he now holds the record for the most wins by an individual player at the tournament, eclipsing Klose's previous mark of 17 victories.
Klose accumulated his wins across four World Cups, recording five victories each in 2002, 2006 and 2010, before adding two more during Germany's triumphant 2014 campaign.
Messi, whose World Cup journey spans six tournaments, has amassed most of his record-breaking victories during Argentina's successful 2022 campaign and the ongoing 2026 edition.
Another landmark achievement belongs to Messi in terms of playing time. Having accumulated 2,489 minutes on the World Cup stage, he now holds the record for the most minutes played in tournament history.
Messi surpassed Maldini's longstanding record of 2,217 minutes during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and has continued to extend that benchmark at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
With Argentina appearing well-positioned to advance deep into the competition, Messi has an opportunity to further enhance records that already place him among the most accomplished players the sport has ever produced.
