Messi Makes History with Hat-Trick on 20-Year World Cup Anniversary.

Argentine legend becomes first player to appear in six World Cups, breaks multiple records in dominant 3-0 victory over Algeria.

It was a night for the history books in Kansas City.

Lionel Messi stepped onto the pitch at Kansas City Stadium for his 200th international appearance on Tuesday, and what followed was nothing short of magical.

The 38-year-old superstar became the first man to play in six World Cups when he was named in Argentina's starting lineup. But he didn't stop there.

Twenty years to the day after making his World Cup debut as an 18 year.old, Messi delivered his first ever tournament hat trick, leading the defending champions to a convincing 3-0 win over Algeria.

The night started with a slight hiccup Messi had an early goal ruled out in the fourth minute but he quickly made up for it. His first legitimate strike came at 17 minutes, a rebound he coolly slotted past Algerian keeper Luca Zidane (whose father, French legend Zinedine Zidane, was having his best World Cup run back in 2006).

That goal moved Messi level with Kylian Mbappe on 14 World Cup goals though the Frenchman had broken ahead just hours earlier in France's win over Senegal.

But Messi wasn't finished.

By the final whistle, he'd completed his hat trick and matched Miroslav Klose's record of 16 World Cup goals. He also became the oldest player to score a World Cup hat trick, snatching that title from Cristiano Ronaldo.

When he was substituted late in the game, the crowd of nearly 70,000 rose to their feet. Even they knew they'd witnessed something special.

Oh, and he also became the first player to score in five consecutive World Cup matches. Just another Tuesday for the eight time Ballon d'Or winner.

With Argentina's campaign off to a flying start, Messi now sets his sights on Austria on Monday, followed by Jordan on June 27. If he leads the Albiceleste to another title, he'll become the first Argentine captain not even Diego Maradona managed that to successfully defend the World Cup.

Not bad for a guy who turns 39 next week.