Messi is eternal: he scores three goals and is already the top scorer in World Cup history

BarcelonaThree cries at dawn have woken many residents in Catalonia. They were Argentinians who live here or Catalans who miss Messi. The former Barça player has debuted in his sixth World Cup on the very day that marked 20 years since his first match, in 2006 in Germany. He did so defending the crown won four years ago in Qatar. The Argentinians faced Algeria in a test that was meant to allow an understanding of their level of play, after playing few high-level friendlies in recent months. And they passed the test with flying colours thanks to three goals from their captain. There were people who said he shouldn't be a starter because he's already a veteran. Others said he lives permanently on vacation in Miami. In reality, Messi is eternal and has scored the three goals for the albiceleste. And he still scored a fourth goal that didn't count.

It's his first hat trick in a World Cup. And incidentally, he equals the German Miroslav Klose as the World Cup's top scorer, with 16 goals. And all this, a few hours after seeing Kylian Mbappé score two goals against Senegal and present his candidacy to be the all-time top scorer in the World Cup. Messi has responded immediately, competitive as he is, like when he used to compete against Cristiano Ronaldo years ago.

He scored the first goal by controlling the ball between the lines in the 17th minute. The usual Messi: he's the most famous, but he always manages to be alone. His shot beat Luca Zidane, son of the Real Madrid legend, who plays for the national team of his grandparents' homeland. Before that, Lautaro Martínez had already signaled Argentina's intentions with a header that Zidane saved. Already leading on the scoreboard, Argentina controlled the game with Enzo Fernández and Alexis Mac Allister in midfield.

The second goal came in the second half, when Mac Allister shot from outside the box, Zidane left the ball loose, and Messi took advantage to seal the victory for the current world champion. The third came in the 76th minute by taking advantage of a pass from Nicolás González and scoring one of those shots from the edge of the box that he so often took while wearing the blaugrana. Lionel Scaloni, aware of what was happening, decided to substitute him a few minutes before the end so that the thousands present in Kansas City could pay homage to him. Argentines and Americans. And some Algerians. And neutral fans. And all those who haven't slept in Catalonia.

At the end of the match, Messi explained that he was moved by the first goal for "a matter totally unrelated to football". "I've had some difficult, complicated days. I want to thank the entire delegation, my teammates, because as always they have helped me," he stated. The Argentine, incidentally, explained that these days he is watching a documentary about Rafa Nadal: "We are watching the series and we are very similar, I identify with him a lot. I always want to give my all and I want to feel good, I enjoy myself this way," he said.

"I didn't imagine this or anything that has happened to me. Everything I am experiencing is incredible. I've been lucky enough to experience more than I could have dreamed of individually and as a team. Today I am enjoying a beautiful group," added a man who will turn 39 in eight days. The Rosario player already has 913 goals in his career. He scored in a World Cup 20 years after his debut on June 16, 2006 against the Serbia and Montenegro national team in Germany. With his performance today, he has surpassed the 14 goals of German Gerd Müller and the 15 of Brazilian Ronaldo Luiz Nazario de Lima. Mbappé now has 14, so the duel of the Qatar World Cup seems likely to be repeated in the coming days. Be that as it may, Messi's debut has captivated. It was like rediscovering the great love of your life after a few years and realizing that she is still a fascinating person. The same half-shy smile when he scores, the same movements between the lines, starting to run like a madman when until recently he was walking. Those dry and direct shots. The Messi of always.