Main Character of Wednesday, 17 June 2026

Lionel Messi is an Argentine footballer widely regarded as one of the sport's greatest players. He is known for his exceptional skill, vision, and goal-scoring ability across a career spanning multiple decades at the highest level of professional football.

On 17 June 2026, Messi made headlines during the FIFA World Cup in Kansas as Argentina, the reigning champions, defeated Algeria 3-0 in a group-stage match. Messi scored a hat-trick in the victory, reaching 16 World Cup goals and equalling Miroslav Klose's all-time record for most goals in World Cup history. The performance was widely described as a masterclass, with commentators noting that despite strong showings from other superstars including Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland, Messi's display dominated the day's football news.

The match also saw an emotional moment when Messi was brought to tears after scoring the opening goal, though he later explained the tears were caused by a matter "completely unrelated to football". The victory marked a strong start to Argentina's World Cup title defence, with Messi's historic achievement cementing his place among the tournament's greatest performers.

This was Messi's sixth FIFA World Cup appearance, underlining his sustained presence at football's premier international competition across an extended career at the highest level.