Lionel Messi has explained why he broke down in tears after scoring Argentina’s opening goal in their 3-0 victory over Algeria.
The Argentina captain on Wednesday delivered a hat-trick as defending champions opened their 2026 FIFA World Cup Group J campaign with a win over the North Africans.
The night, however, was defined as much by his reaction to the first goal as by the three he scored.
The Inter Miami forward became visibly emotional immediately after putting Argentina ahead in the 17th minute.
ALSO READ: Messi equals World Cup all-time scoring record with hat-trick against Algeria
Speaking after the match, the 38-year-old Messi said his reaction was not linked to football.
“I cried after the first goal, yes… but it was something completely unrelated to football.
“I went through some difficult days, but I’m grateful to the entire delegation and my teammates because they were always by my side, giving me a lot of strength,” he said, according to Metro Sports.
Messi went on to complete a hat-trick with goals in the 60th and 76th minutes, taking his World Cup tally to 16 and drawing level with Miroslav Klose in the competition’s all-time scoring chart.
The treble also came on his 200th appearance for Argentina and at his sixth World Cup finals, underlining his long presence on the international stage.
At nearly 39, he also became the oldest player to score a World Cup hat-trick and a brace in the tournament’s history.
Argentina controlled large phases of the match despite spells of pressure from Algeria, with Messi’s finishing proving decisive.
A fourth Argentine goal and one from Algeria were ruled out for offside.
The result gives Argentina a strong start in Group J.
