ABSOLUTE LEGEND. Messi scored three goals against Algeria on June 16 in Kansas City, reached 16 goals in World Cups, and tied Miroslav Klose as the top scorer in the tournament’s history. A record the German had held for 12 years. And he did it in his 6th World Cup, at 38 years old.
But the biggest thing was not the hat-trick. In the mixed zone, the Argentine captain chose to speak like this: “It’s an honor to be there, alongside Klose. Ronaldo is there too. In the end, it’s statistics and nothing more.” And then he went further: “Ronaldo, from what I saw, was one of the greatest and he’s not first, so it only remains a statistic.” ⚽🔥
The Phenomenon, who has 15 World Cup goals, responded by bowing down: “Records are made to be broken.” Two greats recognizing each other instead of competing. That’s how history is written. 🏆
⚽️🇦🇷 | “It’s an honor to be alongside Klose, but it means nothing. From what I saw, Ronaldo was one of the greatest and he’s not first, so it’s just a statistic”: Lionel Messi after speaking about tying Klose as the top scorer in World Cup history. pic.twitter.com/mJpXKUvf2q
— La Derecha Diario (@laderechadiario) June 17, 2026