Lionel Messi's sensational World Cup hat-trick is a sad moment for football

Four years ago was meant to be the last time football fans saw Lionel Messi at his glittering, genius best.Yet his sensational, electrifying performance for Argentina in their 3-0 World Cup opener against Algeria in the early hours of Wednesday morning was a timely reminder that, even at the age of 38, he remains as magical as ever.Messi had seen Kylian Mbappe shoot down Senegal. He had witnessed Erling Haaland inspire Norway against Iraq. He had watched from afar as the current generation started to leave their mark.Then the Inter Miami star took over, delivering a performance every bit as good as four years ago. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say His first World Cup hat-trick, one that drew him level with Miroslav Klose on 16 goals in the competition, left supporters and pundits alike in awe.Yes, Luca Zidane in the Algeria goal should have done better for two of the goals.Messi's first was a curling shot that nestled in the top corner, with Zidane only helping it on its way. His second was a composed finish after the Algeria goalkeeper had spilled the ball invitingly into his path.But the 38-year-old's third, and crowning moment of the match, was a throwback. Fired low into the bottom corner at pace, Zidane had no chance.It is the sort of performance that makes you appreciate just how brilliant the former Barcelona and PSG star truly is.For the best part of two decades, we have witnessed masterclass after masterclass. Messi's magic has mesmerised and enchanted, always leaving fans wanting more.Yet there is now an unavoidable sadness that this is likely his encore.We, unfortunately, won't get too many more memories like this.LATEST SPORTS NEWS:Wayne Rooney's new look astonishes football fans during BBC World Cup coverageBBC forced to apologise after making blunder during France and Senegal World Cup matchThomas Tuchel will only sing England national anthem on one condition ahead of Croatia openerWe live in a sporting era obsessed with the 'next big thing.' We have been told, far too many times, that the throne now belongs to Mbappe, or that Haaland's robotic, ruthless brilliance will define the next decade of the beautiful game.We saw them yesterday. They are magnificent, unstoppable specimens.But they are prose. Messi remains pure poetry.When the Inter Miami maestro stepped onto the pitch against Algeria, expectations were enormous.And, as always, he delivered.To watch him draw level with the legendary Klose on 16 World Cup goals is to witness history unfolding in real time.Klose was a phenomenal, predatory goalscorer and a master of the six-yard box who thrived on service.Messi reaching that milestone, however, feels entirely different.His goals are often works of art, the sort that belong in a museum.Yes, the cynics will point to Zidane's nervous hands and argue that the first two were gifts. They have a point.But Messi still had to be there. He still had to take advantage. And his third goal was a reminder that he retains the power, precision and poise that have defined his career.As the final whistle blew and Argentina celebrated a flawless 3-0 start to their campaign, the overriding emotion should not simply be one of joy.It should also be appreciation.We are, sadly, watching a genius nearing the end.He has nothing left to prove, nothing left to win, yet he can still produce nights such as this.Appreciate him while he is here, because when Messi finally walks away, football will lose a player unlike any it has seen before. Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter