Messi explains tears after World Cup goal - 'some difficult days'

Lionel Messi was emotional after scoring Argentina's first goal against Algeria in ‌the World Cup, a strike that marked the beginning of a memorable hat-trick.

Lionel Messi #10 of Argentina celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group J match between Argentina and Algeria at Kansas City Stadium on June 16, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Charlotte Wilson/Getty Images)

An emotional Lionel Messi was wiping his tears with his shirt ​after scoring Argentina's first goal against Algeria in ‌the World Cup, a strike that marked the beginning of a memorable performance where he netted ​three times to secure a 3-0 win.

But ​while his first World Cup hat-trick ⁠had many Argentine fans in tears of ​joy, Messi said he was crying for ​a personal reason unrelated to the sport.