KANSAS CITY — If you thought the Lionel Messi farewell tour would be a slow, sentimental fade, you haven’t been paying attention. The 38-year-old Argentine magician just pulled off his first-ever World Cup hat trick, and he made it look like a casual Tuesday night pickup game.
Messi’s three goals powered Argentina to a 3-0 win over Algeria at Arrowhead Stadium on Tuesday, giving the defending champions their first victory in Group J. The first goal came 17 minutes in — a long-range laser that left the Algeria goalkeeper frozen. The second arrived in the 60th minute, a composed finish that reminded everyone why he’s still the game’s most dangerous predator. The third, 16 minutes later, sealed the statement: Messi isn’t just here to say goodbye. He’s here to take another trophy.
The performance didn’t just stun opponents. It captivated legends of the game, including U.S. women’s national team icon Carli Lloyd.
“Messi is playing with complete freedom,” Lloyd wrote on X. “He’s already achieved the ultimate goal by winning the World Cup, and that makes him even more dangerous this tournament. No pressure or expectations to live up to — just pure football. Enjoy every moment while we still can. There’s simply no one else like him.”
Her point cuts to the heart of what makes this Messi run different. In 2022, he carried the weight of a nation desperate for a title. Now, with that weight lifted, he’s playing with the kind of reckless joy that makes him impossible to defend. The usual burden of proving himself? Gone. The man is free.
The hat trick also pushed Messi into the history books. He tied Germany’s Miroslav Klose for the most World Cup goals all-time with 16. Given the way he’s moving, that record feels like it’s going to fall in the next match or two — or maybe even sooner.
If anyone doubted Argentina’s resolve to defend its crown, Messi’s performance made one thing clear: the squad is hell-bent on repeating. The top-ranked team in the world pressed relentlessly throughout the match, creating chances that made Algeria look a step slow all night.
Lloyd wasn’t the only one buzzing. French icon Thierry Henry, NFL superstar Patrick Mahomes, ESPN’s Pat McAfee, and veteran commentator Skip Bayless all weighed in with praise. The cross-sport admiration is telling: when a player transcends his own sport, you know you’re watching something rare.
Messi’s final World Cup is shaping up to be anything but a quiet exit. He’s playing with the weight of no expectations and the skill of a man who’s already proven everything. As Lloyd put it — enjoy every moment while we still can. The clock is ticking, and Messi is making sure every second counts.
Argentina faces Austria on Monday. If Messi keeps playing like this, the rest of the field should be terrified.
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