Argentina captain, Lionel Messi has explained why he became emotional after scoring the opening goal in his side’s 3-0 victory over Algeria at the 2026 World Cup.
Messi netted his first-ever World Cup hat-trick as the defending champions kicked off their campaign with an impressive win.
The 38-year-old was seen in tears after putting Argentina ahead, sparking speculation among fans about the reason behind his emotional reaction.
However, the Inter Miami CF star clarified after the match that his tears had nothing to do with football.
“I cried after the first goal, yes… but it was something completely unrelated to football,” Messi said.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner revealed that he had recently gone through difficult moments in his personal life and appreciated the support he received from those around him.
“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 added.
Messi’s hat-trick inspired Argentina to a comfortable victory as they began their World Cup title defence in style.
