A grand Lionel Messi show to kick off the World Cup: The World Cup record player single-handedly propels defending champions Argentina to the opening victory at the tournament in the USA, Canada and Mexico. In doing so, he matches Miroslav Klose's World Cup goal-scoring record. The international media are thrilled.

Argentina

La Capital noted that it was a magnificent World Cup debut for Argentina against Algeria with a spectacular Lionel Messi.

Pagina12 stated that Messi has once again made history.

Clarín reported that Argentina started its title defense at the 2026 World Cup with a bang, featuring a ferocious Lionel Messi.

La Nación emphasized that Messi is the World Cup, an eternal captain, with three goals from the number 10 to a record. They noted that it was Lionel Messi as always.

Olé highlighted Lionel Messi's World Cup show with three goals and a record. They addressed critics, stating that despite claims he is old, plays in a lower league, doesn't run as he used to, no longer wins one-on-one battles, and only lives off his name while blocking new talent, the number 10 is here and ready.

Crónica described it as the show of the number 10, noting that the captain demonstrated he is in better form than ever, and the side trained by Lionel Scaloni started perfectly in the World Cup.

USA

The Washington Post noted that Messi, who will turn 39 next week, nearly scored two additional goals against Algeria, and at no point did it appear that the slight thigh injury that had concerned fans before the tournament was a problem. They added that he also became a plague for the defense.

The Los Angeles Times observed that Lionel Messi may sometimes appear to simply stand during a match, but he constantly watches the flow of play and runs into seemingly perfect positions without unnecessary exertion.

USA Today reported that World Cup contenders and rivals in Group J, who had hoped that the previously injured Lionel Messi would struggle to carry Argentina's World Cup mission, received terrible news on Tuesday evening: Messi is as good as ever.

Mexico

Publimetro called it the night of the king.

Mediotiempo stated that World Cup history is written by its great protagonists, and Lionel Messi is one of them—a living legend who continues to write pages in golden letters, just as he did with his hat-trick that gave Argentina a 3-0 victory over Algeria in their World Cup 2026 debut.

ESTO described Messi as the GOAT of World Cups, noting that Lionel Messi now ties with Miroslav Klose as the best goal scorer in World Cup history.

Spain

Mundo Deportivo stated that Lionel Messi defies all logical explanation, storming into the World Cup with brutal force, leading the Argentine national side with customary class and triggering a flood of amazement. They questioned how this is possible, noting that this phenomenon, who will soon turn 39, manages to score a hat-trick at a World Cup—and with absolute naturalness, despite recovering from a muscle injury just days earlier. They called him an eternal genius.

Sport noted the tears of Messi on a perfect evening, stating that it is already very difficult to begin a final World Cup better than the number 10 has done.

Marca stated that Messi is football history.

As described it as a historic Messi moment that happened in Kansas, in the heart of Missouri, in the land of the great American dream. They noted that the stage on which he entered history—the eternal history of the greatest player of all time, the footballer who never tires—saw Messi play his sixth World Cup as if time stood still for him. He scored a hat-trick, tied with Klose as the best goal scorer in World Cups, and enjoyed it to the fullest. They described him as a child, a happy child.

England

The Daily Mail noted that the million-dollar question before this World Cup was simple: how much energy does Messi have left? They stated that only one match was needed to find out.

The Sun described Messi as magical, noting that he matched the all-time goal-scoring record with an epic hat-trick, and whoever writes the script for Lionel Messi has done it again.

Austria

Kurier reported that in the ÖFB Group J, Argentina delivered a show of strength against Algeria, with an outstanding Lionel Messi and a convincing performance as Argentina started the title defense project.

Kronen-Zeitung exclaimed about what a show Lionel Messi put on at the World Cup opener in Kansas City.

France

L'Équipe stated one, two, three—long live Lionel Messi, noting that with the ball, Messi is still Messi.

Parisien asked who other than Lionel Messi could put Argentina back on course, describing him as the boss, the football genius—and that remains him.

Italy

Gazzetta dello Sport stated that Messi writes history, noting there are no words, only emotions, as Messi grasps the scepter and wields it powerfully before his subjects, dismissing any talk of abdication.

Corriere dello Sport called Leo Messi a spectacle, describing his hat-trick and Argentina's victory over Algeria, noting that the champion sent the United States into ecstasy with two goals using his left foot and one with his right foot, with the world at his feet.