Lionel Messi just etched his name a little deeper into soccer's record books — and fans across Canada were watching every minute of it.
In Argentina's 3-0 win over Algeria's Les Fennecs, the 38-year-old captain delivered a vintage hat trick, scoring all three goals to move into a tie with Germany's Miroslav Klose for the most career goals in men's World Cup history. It was a reminder, yet again, that the greatest player of his generation isn't done writing his story.
A masterclass from the Argentine captain
Messi was everywhere against Algeria, dictating the tempo, slicing through the defence, and finishing with the cool precision that has defined his career. The hat trick capped a complete team performance from Argentina, who looked every bit the part of tournament contenders. For Les Fennecs, it was a tough afternoon against a side firing on all cylinders.
The achievement is staggering when you consider the company Messi now keeps. Klose's record stood as one of the World Cup's most durable marks, built across multiple tournaments for a powerhouse German side. Now Messi sits alongside him — and with the tournament still unfolding, the outright record could soon be his alone.
Why Canadians are paying attention
Soccer's grip on Canada has never been stronger. With the country co-hosting the 2026 World Cup alongside the United States and Mexico, interest in the men's game has surged from coast to coast. Canadians who once treated the tournament as background noise are now packing into sports bars, streaming matches at lunch, and arguing over group-stage permutations like lifelong supporters.
Messi, in particular, holds a special place for Canadian fans. His move to North American soccer brought him within reach of Canadian audiences, and matches involving his clubs and country routinely draw big numbers north of the border. Watching him chase down a record of this magnitude — potentially on North American soil during the tournament cycle Canada is helping to stage — only deepens the connection.
A record within reach
Tying Klose is remarkable on its own, but the bigger headline is what comes next. Messi has shown no signs of slowing, and with Argentina expected to make a deep run, the all-time men's World Cup scoring record may well change hands before the tournament is through. Few players have managed to stay this sharp this late into a career, and fewer still have done it on the sport's biggest stage.
For now, Argentina march on, Algeria regroup, and the soccer world — Canada included — waits to see whether Messi can claim the record outright. If his performance against Les Fennecs is anything to go by, it may only be a matter of time.
The bottom line
Three goals, one record tied, and a global audience reminded why Lionel Messi remains in a class of his own. Canadian fans, increasingly invested as 2026 approaches, got a front-row seat to a piece of World Cup history.
Source: CBC Top Stories.
