Lionel Messi’s hat-trick in Argentina’s World Cup opener was not just another milestone, it was a moment that spanned generations as he scored past the son of one of football’s most iconic figures.
Messi netted all three goals in a 3-0 win over Algeria, drawing level with Miroslav Klose as the World Cup’s all-time leading scorer.
In goal for Algeria was Luca Zidane, son of French legend Zinedine Zidane, adding another chapter to a story that stretches back more than 20 years.
Lionel Messi scores past Zinedine Zidane’s son at the World Cup
Zidane was a defining figure in football when Messi was still a teenager breaking into the Barcelona first team.
They shared the pitch briefly before Zidane retired in 2006 and later crossed paths again during Zidane’s time as Real Madrid manager.
Luca Zidane, Algeria’s goalkeeper, was tasked with stopping the Argentine, but Messi remained clinical in front of goal.
His hat-trick linked Messi’s long history with the Zidane name, from battles against the father as both player and manager to a World Cup meeting with the son.
Messi continues making history at almost 39 years old
Messi’s goals moved him onto 16 at the World Cup, taking him past Ronaldo Nazario and level with Klose at the top of the all-time scoring charts.
He also became the first player to appear in six different World Cups, marking his 200th international appearance in the same match.
Messi has now scored 10 World Cup goals since turning 35, more than the entire tournament totals of Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Thierry Henry, Rivaldo, Diego Maradona and Harry Kane.
With Argentina just one match into their World Cup campaign, Messi now has the chance to move clear of Klose and claim the record outright.
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