Messi calls it ‘a beautiful moment’ after record-breaking World Cup hat-trick

Lionel Messi scored a stunning hat-trick in his sixth World Cup appearance on Tuesday, becoming the joint-highest scorer in World Cup history. The Argentina captain described it as a “beautiful moment” after the match.

Argentina beat Algeria 3-0 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. The 38-year-old added another wonderful chapter to his career by scoring three goals in the match. This was Messi’s first hat-trick in the World Cup. With these three goals, he reached the record of 16 goals equal to that of Germany’s Miroslav Klose.

“It’s a really beautiful moment to be able to enjoy this joy with my family and teammates. I’m very happy,” the Inter Miami star said after the match.

Messi’s excellent form is making Argentina fans dream. Argentina is aiming to become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to win the World Cup twice in a row. Messi said about the team, “Our team is very united and strong. I feel very good about myself. We were able to win a difficult match. It was very important to start the first match with a win.”

Thanking the supporters, he added, “I am grateful to the fans. They have shown once again how crazy they are for Argentine football—the entire stadium was packed today.”

Meanwhile, Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said he had no words to praise Messi. “For the last 20 years, he has accustomed us to watching him play like this. He inspires everyone who watches him play,” he said.

Argentina will face Austria in their second group match on Monday. Scaloni’s full attention is now on that match. “We want to move forward one match at a time. Everyone in the team is happy. Today we were able to give a lot of players a chance to take to the field. Hopefully we can win the next match so that the rest of the players can also be given a chance in the last match of the group,” he said.