It wasn't entirely clear if Lionel Messi would make it to the 2026 tournament. But his hat trick in the first game showed how ready he is.

Lionel Messi stood motionless for a moment, his eyes fixed on the patch of grass where the ball had just skidded harmlessly wide. The grin that had briefly crossed his face twisted into frustration. It was not a penalty worthy of the player who has spent two decades redefining football greatness.

That's the beauty of the World Cup, finding that guy who just takes the tournament by storm that no one would have predicted before the ball was kicked. No, I'm gonna say Paul Pogba. Oh, you better play like Paul Pogba then. Don't worry about that.

See more of our trusted coverage when you search. Prefer Newsweek on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search. In the world of sports, certain names will always loom large. For modern soccer fans, it's impossible to overlook Lionel Messi.