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Argentina's forward #10 Lionel Messi celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the 2026 World Cup Group J football match between Argentina and Algeria at the Kansas City Stadium in Kansas City on 16 June, 2026. Photo: AFP
Defending champions Argentina began their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign against Algeria with Lionel Messi once again at the heart of the team, and the veteran forward marked the occasion by setting multiple records.
The 38-year-old became the first footballer in history to appear in six FIFA World Cup tournaments after being named in Argentina’s starting line-up for the match.
Messi added another remarkable achievement in the 16th minute when he found the back of the net against Algeria. The goal made him only the second player, after Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, to score in five different World Cup editions.
The Argentine captain previously scored at the 2006, 2014, 2018 and 2022 World Cups, with 2010 being the only tournament in which he failed to register a goal.
The match also saw Messi reach another significant milestone as he earned his 200th international cap for Argentina. He became just the third male footballer to make 200 international appearances, joining Cristiano Ronaldo and Kuwait’s Bader Al-Mutawa in the exclusive club.
Messi’s latest achievements further cement his status as one of the greatest players in football history, adding new chapters to an already illustrious international career.