Lionel Messi Cries After Scoring First Goal in World Cup Match Against Algeria

Kansans. Argentina captain Lionel Messi has revealed that he cried after scoring the opening goal against Algeria in the first match of the World Cup.

Messi said that the reason for shedding tears on the field in the match where Argentina defeated Algeria 3-0 was a personal matter completely unrelated to football.

The 38-year-old Messi, playing his 200th match for his country, gave defending champions Argentina a happy and strong start to their World Cup defense journey with a spectacular hat-trick. Messi gave the team an early lead by scoring an excellent goal in the 18th minute of the match.

After scoring, his teammates surrounded him to celebrate, but immediately Messi was captured on camera wiping his tears with his jersey. Clarifying his emotions after the match, Messi said, 'Why did I cry? It was something completely unrelated to football. I went through some difficult days, but I am grateful to the entire delegation and my fellow players because they have always been with me and gave me great strength to get out of this.'

This is Messi's first hat-trick in the World Cup. With this hat-trick, his total number of goals in the World Cup has reached 16, putting him jointly at the top of the list of highest goal scorers in World Cup history alongside German legend Miroslav Klose.

In addition, Messi has become the first player in history to play in 6 World Cups. He made his World Cup debut exactly 20 years ago today, scoring in a 6-0 victory against Serbia and Montenegro.

This performance by Messi, an eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, helped Argentina win their opening match as defending champions for the first time in World Cup history; previously, Argentina had lost their first match as defending champions in 1982 and 1990.

Before the World Cup, there were many doubts about Messi's fitness after he had to leave the field early due to muscle fatigue while playing for Inter Miami. But he proved all doubts wrong by taking to the field.

Speaking further about his current playing career, Messi said, 'I am very happy to have reached this point by overcoming all the circumstances that have come my way in life. What I am experiencing now is a golden opportunity for me. I am very happy and grateful for this wonderful group, I am enjoying it a lot.' When Messi was taken off the field in the 80th minute of the match against Algeria, the spectators present at the Kansas City Stadium gave him a standing ovation and chanted his name.

Messi fulfilled his long-standing dream by leading Argentina to the World Cup title in Qatar in 2022. Messi's presence and performance will undoubtedly be crucial in the upcoming matches to make Argentina the third nation in history to defend the World Cup title.

Speaking about Messi's impact, Argentina's midfielder Alexis Mac Allister said, 'There are no words to describe him. If anyone thought this team would be better without Lionel Messi, today has proven exactly the opposite. He is our most important player, we need to build the team around him, and we are doing just that.'

Argentina is scheduled to play their second match against Austria on Monday, June 22, in Group 'J' of the World Cup.