In Argentina's FIFA World Cup group stage match against Algeria, Messi scored a hat-trick, single-handedly rewriting history by increasing his total FIFA World Cup goals to 16, matching German legendary striker Klose, with both players now tied for first place in the FIFA World Cup all-time top scorer list.
As Argentina's captain, this hat-trick also officially put Messi level with Klose, with both sharing the title of FIFA World Cup all-time top scorer with 16 goals each.
After the match, Messi's former Barcelona teammate, Ibrahimovic, highly praised his performance on a Fox Sports program. He said: "I've said many times, with Messi's game, you just need to watch and enjoy. There may never be another Messi in football; he is too special, his talent is innate. The sport of football seems to exist for him; everything he touches turns into glory. When you need him to step up, this guy steps up."
Ibrahimovic continued: "And the entire team is willing to fight their hardest around him. Even if he wins the FIFA World Cup again, it won't change his status as one of the greatest in history; it will just be another trophy in his cabinet."