The Kansas City sun had barely dipped below the horizon when Lionel Messi carved his name into history once again. On a balmy evening in mid-June, the 38-year-old Argentine superstar laced up his boots for his 200th international appearance and produced a performance that will be replayed for decades. Messi struck his first-ever World Cup hat-trick, leading La Albiceleste to a 3-0 victory over Algeria and, in the process, becoming the first player in history to feature at six separate World Cups.
Twenty years to the day after his debut as an 18-year-old at Germany 2006, Messi looked remarkably undiminished. The stadium erupted in the 18th minute when, from 25 yards out, he shifted onto his left foot and curled a shot that even Luca Zidane — son of France legend Zinedine — could not keep out. It was his 14th World Cup goal, and it silenced any doubters who thought father time might have finally caught up.
Yet the best was still to come. After 60 minutes, a costly error from Zidane allowed the ball to roll into Messi's path. With customary composure, he slotted it home to become the oldest player ever to score two goals in a World Cup match. He completed his hat-trick in the 76th minute, teed up by substitute Nico Gonzalez, drawing level with Germany's Miroslav Klose at the summit of the all-time World Cup scoring charts with 16 goals.
The moment Messi raised his arms toward the sky, thousands of Argentina fans erupted in unison. His name echoed through the stadium long after the final whistle. Supporters — many wearing his shirt, some bearing tattoos of his face — stayed to continue the celebration. For this passionate diaspora, Messi is more than a player. He is a hero, an idol, their son.
Even Patrick Mahomes, the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback who typically commands this stadium, watched from the stands like everyone else, transfixed.
With his 10th World Cup goal since turning 35 — more than Harry Kane, Diego Maradona, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Thierry Henry have each scored across their entire careers — Messi continues to rewrite what we thought possible. As he left the pitch to a standing ovation, one felt not an ending, but a coronation. Who would bet against him lifting the trophy once more?