Have achieved all my dreams, everything is a bonus now, says Lionel Messi after equalling World Cup record

Lionel Messi equalled the all-time FIFA World Cup goalscoring record with a hat-trick as Argentina kicked off their title defence with a 3-0 victory over Algeria in Group J at Kansas City Stadium.

Messi started the day three adrift of Miroslav Klose's mark of 16 goals, but within 76 minutes of the match he was on level terms with the former Germany international.

Messi's maiden hat-trick in tournament came 20 years to the day after his World Cup debut as a substitute in a group-stage match against Serbia and Montenegro at Germany 2006.

"Everything I’m experiencing now is a bonus. I’ve been fortunate enough to achieve all my dreams — or even more than I ever dreamed of achieving — both professionally and personally. Now I’m just enjoying this, being part of a wonderful group, feeling good and being able to enjoy it out on the pitch. This is far more than I could ever have imagined when I was a kid," Messi said.

"I don't have the words to describe [Lionel] Messi. For 20 years, he's had us used to seeing things like this, and he inspires everyone who watches him play. We're going to take it one game at a time. The team is happy; we gave playing time to a lot of players. Hopefully we can win the next one so everyone can be in the third group game," Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said.