The 2026 FIFA World Cup is already delivering unforgettable moments, and at the center of it all is a familiar face. Lionel Messi, at 38 years old, has proven once again why he is the undisputed master of the beautiful game by netting a stunning hat-trick in Argentina’s 3-0 opening victory over Algeria.
Not only did this legendary performance tie him with Miroslav Klose for the most World Cup goals in history (16), but it also firmly established him as the ultimate standard-bearer for the AP33 Hat Trick Hero campaign.
But with the tournament just heating up, the race for the Golden Boot is on. Several world-class strikers and emerging stars have already bagged braces in their opening matches, leaving fans to wonder: Who will be the next player to claim the AP33 Hat Trick Hero title?
Messi Sets the Bar: A Historic Night in Kansas City
Defending champions Argentina opened their Group J campaign with a nervous start, but Messi quickly took control. Scoring in the 17th, 60th, and 76th minutes, he single-handedly dismantled the Algerian defense.
This historic hat-trick broke several records:
- All-Time Top Scorer: Tied Miroslav Klose with 16 career World Cup goals.
- Oldest Hat-Trick: Became the oldest player in men’s World Cup history (38 years, 357 days) to score a hat-trick, passing Cristiano Ronaldo.
- Longevity: Became the first man to play in six different World Cups.
For football fans and those following the AP33 Hat Trick Hero campaign—which highlights players capable of producing game-defining individual brilliance—Messi was the perfect catalyst. He showed that experience and unmatched finishing quality still reign supreme on the world’s biggest stage.
Who Will Be the Next AP33 Hat Trick Hero?
Messi has laid down the gauntlet, but the competition is fiercer than ever. The opening fixtures of the 2026 World Cup have seen an incredible surge of goals, with several top attackers netting two goals (a brace) in their respective matches.
Here are the prime contenders primed to step up and deliver the tournament’s next hat-trick:
| Player | National Team | Recent Brace Opponent | Why They Could Be Next |
| Kylian Mbappé | France 🇫🇷 | Senegal 🇸🇳 | The 2022 Golden Boot winner is entering his peak. France’s transition attack gives him endless space, and he has a proven history of World Cup hat-tricks. |
| Erling Haaland | Norway 🇳🇴 | Iraq 🇮🇶 | Making his World Cup debut, the Norwegian powerhouse wasted no time announcing his arrival with a brace. His physical dominance makes him a constant threat. |
| Harry Kane | England 🏴 | Croatia 🇭🇷 | Coming off a historic 4-2 win where he tied England’s World Cup scoring record. He is the ultimate penalty-box predator and lethal from the spot. |
| Kai Havertz | Germany 🇩🇪 | Curacao 🇨🇼 | Operating in a highly aggressive German attacking system, Havertz thrives on finding pockets of space inside the penalty box. |
| Yasin Ayari | Sweden 🇸🇪 | Tunisia 🇹🇳 | One of the tournament’s early breakout stars. His clinical finishing in the opening match proves he can handle the pressure of the big stage. |
| Elijah Just | New Zealand 🇳🇿 | Iran 🇮🇷 | Announced himself on the world stage with a stunning two-goal performance. He is riding high on confidence and could be a massive dark horse. |
The Favourites: Mbappé vs. Haaland
According to early AP33 predictions, Kylian Mbappé is the strongest candidate to match Messi’s feat. France’s system is practically built to feed him the ball in dangerous areas. However, you can never count out Erling Haaland. Norway relies heavily on his goal-scoring output, and if they face a vulnerable defense, he is more than capable of netting three.
The Dark Horses: Ayari and Just
While the world focuses on the superstars, tournament football always creates unlikely heroes. Yasin Ayari and Elijah Just have already proven they aren’t intimidated by the World Cup spotlight. Backing one of these rising stars could be the ultimate value play for fans predicting the next breakout performance.
Join the Action
The 2026 World Cup is shaping up to be a historic goal-fest. With attackers flying out of the gates, the race for the Golden Boot—and the title of the next AP33 Hat Trick Hero—is wide open. Think you know who would score a hat trick next? Visit AP33 to cast your prediction for your bonus.
Keep an eye on these lethal finishers as the tournament progresses. Will Mbappé assert his dominance, or will a dark horse like Elijah Just shock the world? Stay tuned to the matches, track the stats, and get ready for more history to be made!
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