Arrowhead Stadium has been the site of some of the most memorable moments in the history of the Kansas City Chiefs. It’s the birthplace of Patrick Mahomes‘ surge to stardom, and the host venue for multiple AFC Championship games turned instant classics. 

While Chiefs fans will have to wait for the calendar to turn to September to see their team back in Arrowhead, the home of the Chiefs is currently one of the many homes of the 2026 World Cup, and on Tuesday night, it was home for history and one of the best athletes of all time.

Lionel Messi records his first career World Cup hat trick in Kansas City

Often viewed as the greatest of all time when it comes to futbol or soccer here in the States, Messi has accomplished just about everything you can imagine in the sport. 

But before Tuesday night, despite winning a World Cup less than four years ago in 2022, Messi had never had a hat trick in a World Cup game. He had never scored three times in one outing. That changed against Algeria. 

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Leo Messi is now tied for the most goals all-time in World Cup history 

🚨Most goals in World Cup history:

16 – Messi
16 – Klose
15 – Ronaldo
14 – Mbappe
14 – Müller

— Polymarket Sports (@PolymarketSport) June 17, 2026

What’s wild about Messi’s greatness is that at 38 years old, he looks to be in top form. Since turning 35, he has scored 10 goals in the last two World Cups, which is more than some of the best players in the history of the game have over the course of their careers. Oh, and his 2026 run just started. 

He’s truly one of the greatest athletes of all time, and he chose the home of the Chiefs to put that on full display yet again for the world to see.