Lionel Messi equals Miroslav Klose as World Cup top scorer

Lionel Messi netted a hat‑trick against Algeria in the World Cup’s opening group‑stage match, lifting his tournament tally to 16 goals. The three goals placed him level with Miroslav Klose as the joint‑all‑time top scorer in World Cup history. Algeria, nicknamed the Desert Foxes, were overwhelmed by Messi’s performance. The result was described as a crushing victory for Argentina. Miroslav Klose previously set the record with 16 World Cup goals. Messi’s achievement matches that benchmark, confirming his place among the tournament’s elite scorers.

Lionel Messi scores opening goal as Argentina face Algeria at Kansas City

The Argentine star was hailed as the definitive player of football in the match report. Commentators noted his ability to dominate across eras. The article was translated into English by artificial intelligence. Readers can access the original French version via the provided link. A new World Cup scoring record now awaits a future player to surpass the 16‑goal mark. Messi’s performance therefore sets a high bar for upcoming tournament participants.