Brenden Aaronson Hopes to Play vs Messi at World Cup 2026 – Leeds, 2026

Key Points

• Leeds United attacker Brenden Aaronson said Lionel Messi is his “favourite player of all time”
• Aaronson would love to play against Messi en route to the World Cup final
• Messi scored a sublime hat-trick in Argentina’s 3-0 victory over Algeria in Kansas City
• At 38 years old, Messi is playing in his sixth World Cup
• The midweek treble gave Messi 16 goals from 27 World Cup appearances, making him joint-top of the all-time goalscoring list alongside Miroslav Klose
• Aaronson is playing in his second World Cup
• Everybody did the Messi chant during the match
• Aaronson described watching Messi score a hat-trick at 38 as “something that’s just not normal”
• Aaronson said it was “crazy to watch and amazing to watch with the guys”

Leeds United (The Leeds Times) June 18, 2026 –One of Leeds United’s World Cup stars has admitted he would love to play against his “favourite player of all time” en route to the World Cup final, according to reports covering Aaronson’s reaction to Messi’s extraordinary performance.

As reported by the sports coverage team, Brenden Aaronson, the Leeds United attacker currently playing in his second World Cup, expressed his admiration for Lionel Messi after watching the 38-year-old Argentine deliver a hat-trick performance that left fans and players alike stunned.

“Messi is my favourite player of all time, of course,”

Aaronson said in his statement.

“So to watch him at 38 years old score a hat-trick was something that’s just not normal, you know what I mean? So it was crazy to watch and amazing to watch with the guys, you know, everybody doing the Messi chant, stuff like that. So it was amazing”.

How Did Lionel Messi Perform in Argentina’s World Cup Match Against Algeria?

Lionel Messi delighted all of Argentina and much of the world with his exploits in Kansas City this week, scoring a sublime hat-trick in a 3-0 victory over Algeria.

The match took place at Kansas City Stadium, where Argentina opened their defence of their World Cup crown with a Messi-inspired performance.

The 38-year-old is taking part in his sixth World Cup, continuing to demonstrate his enduring importance to the reigning champions.

Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni had asserted on the eve of the match that Messi remains fundamental to the team, and the midweek treble vindicated that assertion.

The midweek treble made it 16 goals from 27 appearances in the competition, which in turn put him joint-top of the all-time goalscoring list alongside Miroslav Klose.

This achievement means Messi has now tied the World Cup record for total goals scored, cementing his place in football history.

What Records Did Messi Set With His Hat-Trick Against Algeria?

According to Guinness World Records, this performance awarded Messi the record for the oldest player to score a hat-trick in the FIFA football (soccer) World Cup.

The record is measured by age in years and days, and Messi at 38 years old has now set this unprecedented benchmark.

As reported by multiple sports outlets covering the World Cup 2026, Messi reaffirmed his enduring importance with this World Cup hat-trick, vindicating coach Lionel Scaloni’s pre-match assertion.

The dazzling hat-trick in Argentina’s 3-0 World Cup win over Algeria on Tuesday demonstrated that Messi remains extraterrestrial in quality.

Norway striker Erling Haaland also announced his arrival at the World Cup in typically emphatic fashion during the same tournament, with two goals in a majestic display against Iraq, but Messi’s hat-trick stole the spotlight.

Why Did Brenden Aaronson Describe Messi’s Performance as “Not Normal”?

Messi also delighted Leeds United attacker Brenden Aaronson, who is playing in his second World Cup. Aaronson’s reaction captured the widespread amazement at witnessing a 38-year-old player achieve what most would consider impossible at that age.

“So it was crazy to watch and amazing to watch with the guys,”

Aaronson explained, describing how everybody was doing the Messi chant during the match. The atmosphere at Kansas City Stadium reflected the universal love for Messi, with nearly everywhere you looked at the stadium showing an Argentina No. 10 jersey.

Aaronson’s statement emphasized the unusual nature of watching someone at 38 years old score a hat-trick, calling it “something that’s just not normal”.

This sentiment reflects what football fans and analysts worldwide are saying about Messi’s continued excellence at the World Cup.

How Has Aaronson Connected With Messi’s Performance During the World Cup?

Aaronson described the experience as “amazing to watch with the guys,” highlighting the collective admiration among players for Messi’s exploits.

The Leeds United star, who was selected for the home World Cup with the USMNT, witnessed firsthand how Messi’s performance captivated everyone.

The chanting for Messi’s exploits became a defining moment of the match, with everybody doing the Messi chant as Argentina dominated Algeria.

This displayed how Messi continues to command respect and admiration from fellow players across all nations, including American players like Aaronson.

Leeds United’s Aaronson’s selection for the home World Cup with USMNT marked his second World Cup appearance, giving him the opportunity to witness Messi’s extraordinary performance on the biggest stage.

What Does This Mean for Leeds United and Aaronson’s World Cup Journey?

Aaronson has admitted he would love to play against Messi en route to the final, expressing a desire to face his favourite player in competitive match action.

This statement reveals the unique position Aaronson occupies as both a World Cup competitor and a Messi admirer.

The Leeds United attacker’s journey through the World Cup includes witnessing one of the greatest performances in football history, with Messi’s hat-trick setting multiple records.

Aaronson’s second World Cup experience has been marked by this extraordinary moment in football history.

Background: The Development of Messi’s World Cup Legacy and Aaronson’s Admiration

Lionel Messi’s participation in his sixth World Cup represents an unprecedented achievement in football history, as few players have maintained World Cup-level performance across such an extended period. At 38 years old, Messi has now accumulated 16 goals from 27 World Cup appearances, placing him joint-top of the all-time goalscoring list alongside Miroslav Klose.

The hat-trick against Algeria in Kansas City marked Messi’s first FIFA World Cup hat-trick, a milestone that had previously been missing from his extensive collection of achievements. This performance at Kansas City Stadium saw Argentina defeat Algeria 3-0, with Messi scoring all three goals.

Brenden Aaronson’s connection to Leeds United stems from his selection for the home World Cup with the USMNT, representing the United States while maintaining his professional relationship with the English club. His admiration for Messi represents a common sentiment among football players worldwide, with Messi frequently cited as the favourite player of current and emerging stars.

The Guinness World Record for the oldest player to score a hat-trick in the FIFA World Cup now belongs to Messi, measured by age in years and days at 38 years old. This record underscores the extraordinary nature of Messi’s continued excellence at the World Cup level.

Prediction: How This Development Can affect World Cup Fans and Young Football Players

This development can affect World Cup fans by reinforcing the belief that extraordinary football talent can persist at ages previously considered beyond peak performance. Messi’s hat-trick at 38 years old demonstrates that dedication and skill can overcome age-related expectations, potentially changing how fans view veteran players in the sport.

For young football players, witnessing Messi’s performance at the World Cup provides a powerful example of longevity in professional sports. Aaronson’s description of Messi’s hat-trick as “not normal” reflects how current players view Messi’s achievements as setting a new standard for what is possible at the highest level.

The widespread chanting for Messi during the Algeria match, with everybody doing the Messi chant, demonstrates how this generation continues to celebrate legendary players regardless of their age. This affects how fans across different generations connect with football history and current performances.

Aaronson’s desire to play against Messi en route to the final suggests that upcoming World Cup matches featuring Argentina will generate additional interest from fans who want to see whether other players can compete with Messi’s legendary status.

Leeds United fans following Aaronson’s World Cup journey will have increased motivation to watch Argentina’s matches, particularly those involving Messi, creating cross-national fan engagement that benefits the tournament’s global appeal.

The record-breaking nature of Messi’s performance, including tying Klose’s all-time goalscoring record, affects how football statistics and historical comparisons will be discussed in future years, with Messi’s 16 goals from 27 appearances becoming a benchmark for World Cup excellence.