It wasn’t about football — Messi reveals reason behind emotional World Cup tears

Argentina captain Lionel Messi has revealed that the tears he shed after scoring against Algeria at the 2026 FIFA World Cup were due to personal challenges and not football-related reasons.

The 38-year-old star led Argentina to a convincing 3-0 victory over Algeria in their opening World Cup match, scoring all three goals. The hat-trick was the first of Messi’s World Cup career and helped the defending champions begin their title defence on a strong note.

After scoring his first goal, Messi appeared emotional during the celebration, leading many fans to wonder what had caused his reaction.

Speaking after the match, Messi explained that he had gone through some difficult personal moments in recent days.

“I cried after the first goal, yes, but it was something completely unrelated to football,” Messi said.

“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.”

Messi’s hat-trick also made history, as he became the oldest player ever to score three goals in a World Cup match.

The performance once again highlighted the Argentine legend’s quality and importance to his team as they aim to retain the World Cup trophy.

While Argentina celebrated a perfect start to the tournament, Messi’s comments served as a reminder that athletes often face personal challenges away from the football pitch.

With confidence high in the Argentine camp, fans will be hoping their captain can continue his impressive form as Argentina pursue another World Cup title.