Messi becomes World Cup finals' all-time top scorer with hat-trick

Lionel Messi has once again etched his name in football history, becoming the all-time leading scorer in World Cup finals. Twenty years after netting his first goal in the tournament, the Argentine maestro scored a remarkable hat-trick, bringing his total to 16 goals and surpassing Germany's Miroslav Klose.

Messi's journey through World Cups has been a testament to his longevity and consistent brilliance. His goal tally includes four in Brazil 2014, one in Russia 2018, seven in Qatar 2022, and the recent three against Algeria in Kansas City. This latest achievement solidifies his status as one of the greatest players to ever grace the sport.

Former teammates and football analysts have lauded Messi's unparalleled career. Thierry Henry, who played alongside Messi at Barcelona, expressed awe at his continuous record-breaking feats, noting that Messi finds new heights even at an age when most players retire. Wayne Rooney highlighted Messi's deep passion and pride in representing Argentina, observing that the emotion in his celebrations signifies his enduring love for the game.

Brazilian legend Ronaldo declared it's "time for the world to stop hiding and accept the fact that he is the best player of all time." Arsène Wenger, the former Arsenal manager, emphasized that Messi's career consistently redefines excellence. Argentina's national team coach, Lionel Scaloni, simply stated, "Without words, it's incredible. Messi will be the best in history forever, it will be very difficult for them to match him."