Argentina legend Lionel Messi has become the most decorated player of all time at the FIFA World Cup, scoring his maiden tournament hat-trick against Algeria in a match his side won 3-0, at a personal record sixth World Cup appearance.

The 38-year-old rewrote the history books from the minute he stepped onto the pitch at Kansas City Stadium for his 200th international appearance on Tuesday night. Messi became the first man to play in six World Cups when he was named in Argentina’s starting XI.

His first goal of the night came at 17 minutes and equalled Kylian Mbappe’s 14 goals at a World Cup. Messi’s first goal in the fourth minute was overturned, but he still worked his magic and netted after Algerian keeper Luca Zidane offered a rebound.

Messi’s decades-long legacy at the tournament began when, at 18 years of age, he made his World Cup debut in 2006. Tuesday marked exactly 20 years to the day since Messi earned his first World Cup cap for Argentina against Serbia and Montenegro.

No sooner had Messi equalled the record than he completed his hat-trick and matched Miroslav Klose’s record of 16 World Cup goals. It was also his 120th international career goal. Messi, who turns 39 next week, became the oldest World Cup hat-trick scorer.

With the defending champions launching their campaign in style, Messi will get the opportunity to shatter more records when Argentina take on Austria and Jordan. Should Messi lead the Albiceleste to a successful title defence, he will become the first Argentinian captain to achieve the feat.

Source: www.aljazeera.com