The evolution of Messi

17 June, KATHMANDU : Six World Cups, from boy to man to winner to legend.

Every Lionel Messi World Cup appearance documented in photo form.

Golden boot(s)?

We have a new leader in the golden boot race for top scorer at the 2026 World Cup.

For all the talk of bright young upstarts Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland at the top of their game, it is experienced old head Lionel Messi, who has bent time to serve him, who leads with three goals to their two each.

Lionel Messi is absolutely nuts. The GOAT.

Another look at the top scorers table

Messi reaches into his personal time machine

I watched Messi play for Argentina at the 2024 Copa America and at the 2025 Club World Cup.

He was good in the former, OK in the latter. In neither, though, did he look as sharp as he has tonight.

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – JUNE 16: Lionel Messi #10 of Argentina celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group J match between Argentina and Algeria at Kansas City Stadium on June 16, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Charlotte Wilson/Getty Images)

He’s playing like he has his own personal time machine. What a spectacle.

Lionel Messi’s first World Cup hat-trick comes a week before his 39th birthday.

Simply extraordinary.

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