France defender Malo Gusto has said Lionel Messi’s hat-trick in the Argentina-Algeria game is what has impressed him the most so far at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Messi, 38, marked his appearance at the ongoing Mundial in unique fashion, scoring three goals on Tuesday to become the first and only player so far to score a hat-trick at the tournament.
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The Argentine maestro subsequently earned plaudits from fans and fellow players from his heroics as he looks to win back-to-back World Cup titles with La Albiceleste.
Speaking to the media ahead of France’s match against Iraq, Gusto was asked what has ‘struck’ him since the World Cup started, to which he said:
“Lionel Messi’hat-trick…Unbelievable!”
For Gusto, he will also look to make history at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as it is his first call-up to the tournament. The defender was named among France’s 26-man squad for north America. However, he has yet to make his first appearance at the tournament, as he was an unused substitute in France’s 3-1 over Senegal.
The three goals against Algeria only further cemented Messi’s legacy as arguably the greatest of all time (GOAT). The strikes saw the Barcelona legend become the oldest player to score a hat-trick at the tournament. Also, he now holds the record for the most international hat-tricks (11).
Edited by Ezekiel Olamide