India, June 17 -- Lionel Messi added another remarkable chapter to his World Cup story with a stunning hat-trick against Algeria, making an emphatic start to the 2026 tournament. The Argentina captain, who became the first player in history to appear in six FIFA World Cups, once again demonstrated why he remains one of football's defining figures despite approaching his 39th birthday later this month.

The hat-trick carried significance beyond Argentina's comfortable victory. It took Messi to 16 World Cup goals, drawing him level with German great Miroslav Klose as the joint-highest scorer in the tournament's history. It was also the first World Cup hat-trick of his career, adding yet another milestone to a resume already packed with reco...