Missouri, June 17 -- Lionel Messi opened his FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign with a brilliant hat-trick, leading Argentina to a 3-0 win over Algeria on Tuesday. With the hat-trick, he registered his name in the record books for multiple accolades, the most notable being for joint-most goals in World Cup history.

Lionel Messi is now tied with Germany's Miroslav Klose on 16 goals in FIFA World Cup history.

He has also moved past Brazil's Ronaldo (15 goals), as well as Germany's Gerd Muller and France's Kylian Mbappe, who were both on 14 goals. Notably, Mbappe had earlier equalled Muller's tally with a brace in France's 3-1 win over Senegal earlier in the day.

France's Just Fontaine (13) and Brazilian great, Pele (12) follow next on the list...