LIONEL MESSI returned to the World Cup with a stunning hat-trick to MATCH Miroslav Klose at the top of the tournament’s all-time scorers list.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner is 38 years old and in the twilight of his career.
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Lionel Messi netted a stunning hat-trick against Algeria Credit: Getty Images
But he plundered his 14th, 15th and 16th World Cup goals in a staggering individual display against Algeria.
Messi struck a belter into the top corner in the first half, slotted home a rebound on the hour mark and then fired in clinically in the 76th minute.
And it was typical of the little magician to steal the limelight on a day when Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe both turned up to play.
The younger but equally deadly duo each bagged braces for Norway and France respectively earlier in the day.
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But Messi became the first player at this year’s World Cup to net a triple – and what a triple it was.
Messi started the day level with Just Fontaine on 13 World Cup goals.
But throughout the course of the 90 minutes in Kansas City he drew level with Gerd Muller and Mbappe, then Brazilian legend Ronaldo, and finally Klose.
Messi has, at the very least, two more group stage matches to try and pull clear of the mark Klose set in 2014.
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