Messi mesmerises, scores his first World Cup hat-trick
The Six-Star Genius: Messi’s Historic Hat-Trick Lights Up the 2026 World Cup
Do you, dear readers, remember Messi, a tall, handsome person, the Football Great from Argentina, who was in Hyderabad and other cities last year? Lionel Messi visited Hyderabad on 13 December 2025 as part of India Tour. The event featured a high-profile exhibition match at Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Uppal where Messi played seven-a side game along with Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy. Messi had also met the top Congress leader Rahul Gandhi who happened to be in Hyderabad. Rahul had also attended a felicitation programme where Messi and his two teammates were honoured by the chief minister. The Hyderabad crowd had seen the timeless trio of Messi, de Paul and Suarez, the last two being his teammates. Later, Messi conducted a football clinic for youngsters where he delighted the lovers of the game juggling the ball with his feet as he kicked the ball around along with his teammates.
A Magical Night in Kansas City
Lionel Messi is in news again for scoring a hat-trick in the FIFA World Cup being played in New Jersy, USA. He scored a dazzling hat-trick for Argentina on Tuesday and equaled Germany’s Miroslav Klose’s all-time record of 16 goals at World Cup as the defending champions swept Algeria aside 3-0. Messi also became the first player to feature in six World Cup tournaments. It was his 200th international match. He created a sort of commotion in his adoring fans when he scored the 16th goal in a majestic way.
Argentina’s coach Scaloni and assistant coach Pablo Aimar were standing at dugout of a stadium in Kansas City where 48-nation Soccer World Cup was going on. They watched with pride their hero Messi, a genius, score his first hat-trick in a World Cup helping Argentina win over Algeria in their first match of the tournament.
Anatomy of a Masterclass: Three Dimensions of Genius
The first was the most Messi-esque of the three goals. The ball came from a perfect pass from Rodrigo De Paul, who played excellent game throughout. With Messi’s left foot, just outside the box, the ball bending unstoppably into the nets, past the stretched arms of goalkeeper Luca Zidane, son of France great Zinedine Zidane. The father was watching his son doing the goalkeeping on Tuesday. Zinedine featured in the same World Cup when Messi made his debut in 2006. When Messi had the ball on his feet two Algerian defenders threw themselves in the line of the ball. But Messi kneaded the ball beautifully through the space between the defenders.
Then came Messi’s second goal through a corner kick. It was in the second half of the match. It was a poacher’s delight. The ball reached Emiliono ‘Dibu’ Martinez a few meters out from Argentina goal, the ball then finds Messi free, who touches it to Nico, from him to Mac Allister, and a powerful smash straight into the Algerian goal. The goalkeeper’s quick reflexes stop it from crossing the goal line, but inevitably the ball bounces away. And there was Messi ready for the ball as though he had the intuition that it was coming his way. He kicked it into the net. As one commentator said, “He (Messi) took advantage of the rebound like a ghost.”
The third goal was because of his supreme balancing skills. The star footballer steadied himself with a velvet touch, bent low, and slashed a side-foot shot from the edge of the box to the bottom corner. Messi smiled contentedly after the third goal, offered silent prayer looking skywards with both his arms aloft and index fingers pointing up.
Wiser, Lethal, and Leading the Next Generation
Thus, Messi netted all the three goals that were scored by the defending champion, Argentina. Each strike by the star player displayed a different dimension of his genius.
After the game, Messi spoke with the media. “This is my sixth World Cup, and I still feel like I am in good shape…. It’s important to start the tournament with a victory,” he said. Messi might feel that he is in good shape. But he is not as agile as he was when he was 28. But he is still the most dangerous player on the pitch. The younger Argentine players around him absorb the additional burden without grudging. Messi on his part acts as a protective elder brother who argues with umpires whenever his juniors are unjustly punished or some unfair decision is given. Those who adversely commented on Messi’s physical state have been thoroughly rebuked through his fluent movements and unwavering energy and commitment to the game. At this age, Messi is wiser and more lethal.
In fact, football celebrates youth and speed. Messi will be 39 on June 24. Yet he scored all the three goals. He scored his first World Cup and his 11th international hat-trick. He has a supernatural understanding of the game. He foresees the gaps between the defenders. He takes a decision within seconds.
Global Stars and Geopolitical Dynamics
In this World Cup, Mbappe of France and Erling Haaland of Norway have so far scored two goals each. However, Messi has beaten them by scoring a hat-trick. France’s Kylian Mbappe was shoddy in the first half and excellent in the second. He is rated by experts as the future king of world football. France has beaten Senegal by 3-1 goal. Haaland outshone Iraqi players including their star, Hussain. Blessed with political stability and economic prosperity, Norway is the seventh happiest nation in the world, ranks second in human development index, and seventh in per capita income. Compared with Norway, its opponent Iraq has been ravaged by years of war and exploitation. It stands at the rank of 101 in economic prosperity, 126 in human development index and 116 in per capita income. The difference in the prosperity and stability is seen in the quality of their game. Norway has beaten Iraq by 4-1 goals.
A Global Frenzy
About 70,000 football lovers watched the game between Argentina and Algeria live at Kansas City stadium. Almost as many were in Times Square or in New York’s streets. The people had headed, after watching the game, to Buena Vista restaurant or bar on 9th Avenue, booked weeks ago.
Prominent Journalist
Dr. K. Ramachandra Murthy is a versatile journalist with a distinguished career. Dr. Murthy began his extensive career with Andhra Prabha of The Indian Express group in Bengaluru. He was editor of Udayam, Vaartha and Andhra Jyothy. Dr. Murthy founded and edited HMTV news channel and The Hans India, an English newspaper. He was also editorial director of the Telugu newspaper, Saakshi. He was awarded Ph. D for his research work in rural reporting. Dr. Murthy’s five decades in journalism showcases his influential roles across both print and electronic media. He wrote the political biography of NTR published by Harper Collins.
