Lionel Messi shared some insights on why he teared up after his first goal against Algeria in the World Cup: “It had nothing to do with football, I went through difficult days.” Lionel Messi put on a masterclass to launch Argentina’s 2026 World Cup campaign, delivering a flawless performance headlined by a historic hat trick in a dominant opening victory over Algeria. Yet, despite the on-field brilliance, the enduring image of the match was the captain visibly fighting back tears after his opening goal, an emotional display the Argentine legend later addressed: “It had nothing to do with soccer, I went through difficult days.“
Speaking to reporters during his post-match press conference, Messi was asked about the raw emotion he displayed, which included crying immediately after finding the back of the net: “A matter totally unrelated to sports, I went through some difficult, complicated days.”
While keeping the specific details of the personal matter private, the iconic playmaker made sure to praise his inner circle, thanking his international teammates and the entire Argentine staff for shielding and supporting him in the buildup to the tournament. “I’m grateful to the entire delegation, to my teammates. They made a lot of effort to make sure I’m doing well,” he concluded.
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