Messi About to Make History as World Cup Records Intensify

Lionel Messi has begun his sixth FIFA World Cup campaign in record-breaking fashion, scoring a hat-trick in Argentina’s     3-0 win over Algeria. The performance, which came exactly 20 years after his World Cup debut in 2006, pushed him into the lead in the Golden Boot standings and placed him on the verge of becoming the tournament’s all-time top scorer once again.

Messi’s early goals have immediately reshaped the scoring charts, with reports showing him tied or ahead in the race depending on assists and minutes played tiebreakers used in the standings. Analysts note that he currently holds around a 24–25% probability of winning the Golden Boot (most goals in the tournament), placing him among the leading contenders alongside players like Kylian Mbappe. The strong start has also increased Argentina’s chances of advancing deep into the tournament, boosting their overall title probability in early projections.

Statistically, Messi is now closing in on the all-time FIFA World Cup goal record, sitting at 16 goals and equals Miroslav Klose’s long-standing mark, meaning just one more strike could make him the outright leader in World Cup history. With his current form, form-based models and betting markets have rapidly shifted, suggesting Messi is not only a top scorer contender but also one of the most influential players in determining Argentina’s likelihood of winning the tournament overall.