Lionel Messi Explains Why He Cried in 2026 World Cup Opener After Scoring Hat Trick
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NEED TO KNOW
- Lionel Messi became emotional after scoring his first goal in Argentina's 3-0 World Cup win against Algeria
- The soccer star credited his teammates for their support and said he's going through a challenging time unrelated to the game
- Messi tied the World Cup scoring record with 16 goals and secured his first-ever World Cup hat trick
Lionel Messi left his heart on the field.
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The Argentine soccer star, 38, opened up about why he was visibly emotional after scoring his first of three goals in the 2026 World Cup during his team's matchup against Algeria on Tuesday, June 16.
"Why did I cry? It was something completely unrelated to football. I went through some difficult days," Messi said, after he was seen using the front of his white-and-blue, sweat-soaked jersey to wipe the tears from his eyes as he helped Argentina shut out Algeria 3-0 at Kansas City Stadium.
Lionel Messi #10 and players of Argentina line up to applaud fans after the team's 3-0 victory in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group J match between Argentina and Algeria at Kansas City Stadium on June 16, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri.Credit: Michael Steele/Getty
"But I'm grateful to the entire delegation and my teammates because they were always by my side, giving me a lot of strength to help me get through it," continued the soccer legend, who's playing in his record sixth World Cup.
Messi, who turns 39 next week, didn't share further details on what prompted his emotions after that first strike, which marked one of three to secure his first-ever World Cup hat trick .
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His emotional first goal came off a feed from Inter Miami teammate Rodrigo De Paul in the first few minutes of the matchup. He scored another early in the second half and secured his third goal moments before subbing out to a standing ovation from a crowd of 69,045 fans.
With his three goals during Argentina's victorious opening game against Algeria, Messi tied Germany's Miroslav Klose for the most goals in a men's World Cup with 16.
"At a loss for words about Leo. What can I say?" Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said after the match. "He's incredible."
Messi had his family in attendance to support him during the match in Kansas City, including his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, and their three sons, Thiago, Mateo and Ciro.
Lionel Messi of Argentina during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group J match between Argentina and Algeria at Kansas City Stadium on June 16, 2026 in Kansas City, United States.Credit: ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP via Getty
The remarkable performance by Messi laid to rest any concern about his hamstring scare, which had fans worried after he was seen limping off of the field during a Major League Soccer matchup on Sunday, May 24.
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