KANSAS CITY STADIUM – So much for Lionel Messi‘s last dance. This timeless tango from the finest footballer of his generation should leave you in no doubt that Rosario’s renaissance man can dominate another World Cup.
What magic Messi weaved here in Kansas. We are used to seeing him beat defenders with the twinkle toes that bewitched the unfortunate Algerians – what was remarkable here was him showing Father Time a clean pair of heels.
Because this hat-trick wasn’t a case of serendipity for Messi. No, pushing the age of 39 he reprised his role as Argentina’s architect-in-chief – pressing, cajoling and creating with the sort of effortless swagger that makes this game look easy. Not just the best player on the pitch but looking like he was in the mood to become the best player on the planet again.
He was already guaranteed his slice of history by making it to a record-breaking sixth World Cup but there was a nagging doubt that this might be a pale imitation of the Messi who, four years ago, lifted the burden of a nation when he hoisted the trophy in Doha. Injury worries had stalked his tournament build-up.
Lionel Messi became the oldest player ever to score multiple goals at a #FIFAWorldCup match at 38 years, 357 days Just check out this hat-trick… pic.twitter.com/HZT8Oc2j9H
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 17, 2026We needn’t have worried. Messi is supposed to have given up running these days but there was velocity in his fifth minute run to sweep past Algeria’s Luca Zidane, only for assistant referee Tomasz Listkiewicz to flag for a marginal offside.
Twelve minutes later came the moment. Fed by Rodrigo De Paul, he took three touches before a beautifully struck drive beat the desperate attempt of Zidane.
A close range shot after Zidane spilled was his second of the night; a trademark side-footed finish left the partisan crowd genuflecting in unison. He celebrated each goal as if it was his first on this stage, not the 14th, 15th and record-equalling 16th.
Perhaps he sensed the fervour that had built all day in Kansas, which could have passed for Buenos Aries in the sweltering afternoon sun such were the numbers who had made their way to the city.
Tens of thousands had jetted in for this, their numbers significantly swelled by ex-pats flying in from Miami. They thronged the city’s grand Union Station, singing and dancing, the number 10 shirt adorned with Messi seemingly ubiquitous.
I was among the thousands admiring Messi’s brilliance (Photo: Mark Douglas)But it was not just a tourist thing. The blue and white was also worn by locals, who appear less wedded to the concept of tribalism than their European counterparts. One Kansas resident waiting in the queue to have his pass scanned claimed he was much more interested in seeing Messi succeed than he was in watching his own country.
Patrick Mahomes, the quarterback of the Kansas Chiefs and friend of Messi, seemed to agree. He is a 24-carat superstar in his own right but when the big screen panned to him in his box, he wore the wide-eyed expression of man recognising fellow greatness.
That’s the power of the man. For all the cynicism that stalks the World Cup, you put up with it for moments of unalloyed joy like this one. Players like Messi make you do funny things.
Think about it: what would you do to witness the first brushstroke of his final masterpiece? A confession – for me it was spending a night on the airport floor, having spotted a hole in England’s itinerary that permitted a few extra hours in the self-proclaimed “heart of America” to capture a glimpse of the GOAT. The sleepless night was worth it.
This fan from China stood outside the stadium almost in tears (Photo: Mark Douglas)For others it was paying up to £1,000 on resale for a seat in the cavernous Arrowhead Stadium – or hopping on a plane from the other side of the globe to witness history.
One fan from China stood outside the stadium almost in tears at the prospect of seeing his idol, grasping a poster written in Spanish begging him for an autograph.
Everybody seemed to be smiling. Even a small band of Algerian supporters – hopelessly outnumbered – seemed enraptured when Messi bowed to the crowd at the end.
We have rightfully fretted about some worrying trends around this World Cup. But as long as players like Messi bring the joy, football will always win.
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