Lionel Messi's World Cup hat trick stuns Patrick Mahomes and more

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          Argentina fans in Buenos Aires react to Messi's hat trick goal vs. Algeria (0:31)

          • ESPN staffJun 16, 2026, 11:37 PM ET

          Lionel Messi pulled out all his tricks for his 2026 FIFA World Cup debut on Tuesday.

          Messi scored a hat trick in Argentina's 3-0 victory over Algeria in a game in which he became the first player to take the pitch in six different men's World Cups. He is now the oldest player to score three goals in a game at the tournament.

          It marked Messi's first hat trick in the World Cup and the 11th in his international career. He also tied Miroslav Klose for the most goals in men's FIFA World Cup history with 16. Argentina's next match is against Austria in Dallas on Monday.

          The standout performance from the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner captivated the heavily pro-Argentina crowd in Kansas City. However, the online sports world was equally enthralled by Messi's magical night, chiming in on social media.

          Here are the top reactions to Messi's hat trick.

          Kansas City Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes and his wife, Brittany, were in attendance for Argentina's opener. Mahomes posted a single emoji of a goat following Messi's second goal before posting three emojis following his third.

          The three-time Super Bowl winner led reactions to the big game, while Washington Wizards star Trae Young and former British soccer stars Rio Ferdinand and Alan Shearer also chimed in.