Many spectators were surprised to see Messi cry after he scored the opening goal. "The truth is my tears had absolutely nothing to do with sports," he explained after the match in Kansas City on 16/6. "I had been going through some difficult, complex days. I am grateful to the entire team, my teammates, because they were always by my side, as always, giving me a lot of strength to get back on track."

Messi did not disclose specific details about what had happened. The 38-year-old superstar only stated that these difficulties occurred before the World Cup began and significantly affected his mood.

Forward Lionel Messi (number 10) celebrates after scoring his second goal during the World Cup 2026 Group J match between Argentina and Algeria in Kansas City, Missouri, USA, on 16/6/2026. Photo: AP

Forward Lionel Messi (number 10) celebrates after scoring his second goal during the World Cup 2026 Group J match between Argentina and Algeria in Kansas City, Missouri, USA, on 16/6/2026. Photo: AP

Despite his off-field issues, Messi delivered a strong performance. The forward, 38, consistently disrupted the Algerian defense, scoring a hat-trick and helping Argentina start their title defense campaign successfully.

Following the match, Messi spoke at length about the support he received from his teammates. The captain affirmed that the Argentina squad helped him overcome a mentally challenging period. He also extended his gratitude to members of the team's delegation.

Messi also praised Algeria's performance. In the 2022 World Cup opener, Argentina suffered a shocking loss to Saudi Arabia, yet ultimately claimed the championship. According to Messi, the match against the African representative was much more challenging than the 3-0 score suggested, as Algeria had good, energetic, and high-intensity players. Therefore, Argentina focused on maintaining possession to prevent their opponents from creating chances.

Messi observed that the 2026 World Cup demonstrates a narrowing gap in skill levels between national teams. "No one gives anything for free in this tournament. This is a highly competitive World Cup," he added. "All teams are strong, have their own identity, and are well-prepared. The matches will be balanced and fierce."

At the age of 38, Messi continues to prove his significant influence for the national team. He recently became the first player to participate in six World Cups, from 2006 to 2026. The Argentina captain also equaled Miroslav Klose's record of 16 goals scored in World Cups.

Messi's third goal. Photo: AP

Messi's third goal. Photo: AP

However, the 8-time Ballon d'Or winner stated that personal records are not his biggest motivation. "It is an honor to be alongside names like Klose or Ronaldo. But ultimately, they are just statistics," Messi added. "Mbappe also just scored two goals. These are just statistics. Ronaldo Nazario was a great player but is not at the top of that list. Therefore, numbers do not tell the whole story."

Instead, what keeps Messi playing at nearly 39 years old is his joy for football. "I love football. It has been my passion since childhood. When I feel healthy and comfortable, I always want to give my all," he emphasized.

Messi revealed that in recent days, he and his teammates watched a documentary about Rafael Nadal. The Argentina forward believes he shares many similarities with the Spanish tennis legend. "I empathize with Nadal," Messi added. "We are quite similar in always wanting to show the best version of ourselves. I enjoy competing and love the feeling of playing when I am in my best condition."

Rafael Nadal, the same age as Messi, is a former Spanish tennis player who holds 22 men's singles Grand Slams, second only to Novak Djokovic (24 titles) in history. Nadal is a Real Madrid fan, but Messi still respects him.

The Argentina captain said everything he is experiencing now feels like a gift. "I am fortunate to have achieved more than I ever dreamed of," he stressed. "Now I enjoy being part of this team and playing football the way I have always loved."

Messi's opening goal.

The goal that completed Messi's hat-trick.

By Xuan Binh (Sources: Ole, TyC Sports)