Lionel Messi, Argentina and the traveling circus come to town as Kansas City makes World Cup debut

· Yahoo Sports

KANSAS CITY — This was supposed to be Kansas City's big night, making history as the city hosts a World Cup game for the first time, but Lionel Messi had to go and steal the show and make it all about himself.

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WATCH — Messi’s hat trick vs Algeria

Messi's magical performance is all anyone anywhere is going to remember or talk about for days. The first World Cup hat trick of his career, to tie German legend Miroslav Klose for the most goals in World Cup history (16); that he scored all three goals and Argentina began their world title defense with a resounding 3-0 victory over Algeria in America's Heartland on Tuesday; that at just a week shy of 39 years old, the magic is far from gone.

69,405 showed up here expecting to be entertained, ooh'd and aah'd and wow'd, and still he exceeded expectations. Messi had them in the palm of his hand for the 80 minutes he required to collect his goals. Even upon becoming the first men's player to play in six World Cups, Messi remains the ultimate showman, still making it look effortless as he runs circles around world-class players a decade (or two) younger than him.

There were questions about how much Messi had left in the tank ahead of this tournament (fairly so), but all was made abundantly clear on Argentina's opening night: He's nowhere near done, and you're going to have to come and take the World Cup from them.

MORE — Came, saw, conquered: Messi adds KC to his list (April 2024)

The only thing left for Messi to do now is to separate himself from Diego Maradona with a second (straight) World Cup victory. Maradona famously led Argentina to the 1986 title and achieved football immortality, just as Messi did four years ago in Qatar. Right now, it's Maradona and Messi. Win another one, history reads "Messi and Maradona" forever.

Argentina fans bring the party to KC, everywhere they go

I used to think the World Cup was all about crowning the best footballing nation in the world, but then the World Cup came to my hometown and that changed within a week.

I fell in love with soccer during the 2002 World Cup when the USMNT was (in)famously robbed by Germany in the quarterfinals. I've watched it religiously ever since. I've been to games as a fan on every coast and covered the game domestically and abroad for more almost 15 years now. I've been in the building for an MLS Cup final, U.S. Open Cup finals and even a couple other Messi games since he joined Inter Miami; Kansas City Chiefs playoff games, complete with an AFC Championship in this very venue. All very formative sports memories for me. I thought I had felt the spirit of sport before. I was wrong.

Never before had I seen or heard or felt anything remotely close to the passion and joy that Kansas Citians experienced as the white and blue of Argentina engulfed this city and our stadium these last 48 hours. Every car on the highway had a flag, a 10 jersey and (at least) one person waving or wearing one or both while hanging out the window. Inside the stadium, the singing never stopped and when it hits its crescendo, everyone on their feet, hands high in the sky, flicking their fingers with every drum beat all in unison, sending praise and strength and energy to their heroes on the pitch. It was like witnessing a rare religious experience, and perhaps it was. Messi has only scored 61 hat tricks in his career, after all.

World Cup spirit is alive in Kansas City

Pardon me if I went to see the greatest player of all time play in my very first World Cup game, he scored a hat trick, and it's got me feeling slightly sentimental tonight. Kansas City opened its doors to the world this week, welcoming folks from every corner of the globe into our humble town and I couldn't be more proud of the way we have received our guests.

The scenes in and around the stadium were of pure celebration for this beautiful game, locals and far-flung visitors alike. The gatherings at Fan Fest and watch parties have been, hands down, the greatest collection of club and international football jerseys you could ever hope to see. For some reason, the shirts really drove home just how many of us sickos are out there. It was comforting, in a way. We're all standing around a patch of grass, wearing our silly little outfits, just to watch our silly little game and sing our silly little songs. And there's nothing any of us would rather do.

The World Cup isn't the stadiums, it's not the players or the coaches, it's not the shiny gold trophy they give to the winning team at the end. The World Cup is none of those things and all of those things. They are what make it possible, but the real World Cup is the moments all around the games that we choose to experience and share and live and breathe together.

Algeria’s introduction to the Midwest is already one of the heartwarming stories of the tournament, along with the rollicking party scenes involving Scotland fans in Boston and Korean supporters in Mexico, as are the Europeans traversing flyover country and enjoying a slice of Americana for the first time. We share our food, you teach us your songs, we show you the local binge-drinking customs. Lionel Messi scores a hat trick, half the press box erupts in cheers and applause. The World Cup is truly your oyster.

That's one of six games in KC done, and it's come and gone like a whirlwind. The first week of this tournament is a bit of blur, but one thing is crystal clear: Kansas City gets to do this five more times. Now, who do we have to talk to about bringing Mr. Messi back in a few weeks to do an encore performance in the quarterfinals?

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