Mastantuono Scores a Hat-trick, Lionel Messi's 19-Year-Old Record Is Finally Broken

indonesiatravelsport.com - Young Argentine player Franco Mastantuono enjoyed a special night with Fiorentina. His three goals against Venezia did not only deliver La Viola their first Serie A victory of this season, but also broke a record held by Lionel Messi.

Fiorentina secured a 4-2 win over Venezia at Stadio Pier Luigi Penzo on Saturday, 12 September 2026. Mastantuono became the centre of attention after netting a hat-trick, while Fiorentina's remaining goal was contributed by Mateo Pellegrino.

Venezia did mount resistance with goals from Akor Adams and Antoine Hainaut. Even so, Fiorentina still left the match with all three points, ending their run of three consecutive defeats at the start of the Serie A season.

This hat-trick entered Mastantuono into Argentine football history books. Cited from ESPN, he is now the youngest Argentine player ever to score a hat-trick across Europe's top five leagues.

Mastantuono scored the three goals at the age of 19 years and 28 days. This record was previously held by Messi, who scored a hat-trick for Barcelona against Real Madrid on 10 March 2007.

Messi had registered his first hat-trick in a top European league competition at 19 years and 259 days old.

Messi's record stood for over 19 years before Mastantuono broke it, with an age difference of 231 days between the two players.

This milestone has also strengthened the massive expectations that Argentine football supporters hold for Mastantuono. The player born in Azul is hailed as one of Argentina's best young talents, and is projected to succeed Messi on the right attacking flank of the Albiceleste national side.

Mastantuono has also begun earning places with the Argentina national team. He has already collected four senior caps, a significant achievement for a 19 year old player.

Mastantuono's progression to European football's biggest stage has moved very quickly. Last season, Real Madrid spent 45 million euros to sign him from River Plate.

However, Mastantuono struggled to get regular playing minutes due to the intense squad competition at Real Madrid.

Fiorentina then became Mastantuono's new base to gain match experience and demonstrate his full capabilities.

This loan spell to Fiorentina is already showing positive results. After Fiorentina lost their first three Serie A matches of the season, Mastantuono emerged as the difference maker at the exact moment his side needed a victory.

His hat-trick against Venezia was not just an answer on the pitch, it also marked that Mastantuono is starting to find his own stage. He still has a very long journey ahead compared to Messi's legacy, but one record belonging to the Argentine legend has now officially passed to him.