Lionel Messi has opened up about his emotional celebration, revealing that his tears after scoring the opening goal in Argentina’s 3-0 win over Algeria were due to a matter “completely unrelated to football.”
The Argentina captain marked his landmark 200th international appearance by scoring a stunning hat-trick, guiding the reigning world champions to a perfect start in their FIFA World Cup title defense.
After curling home a brilliant opener in the 18th minute, the Inter Miami star was swarmed by his teammates before cameras caught him wiping away tears with his jersey.
When questioned about his emotional reaction post-match, the legendary playmaker stated:
“It was something completely unrelated to football. I have gone through some very difficult days recently.”
Messi quickly expressed his gratitude toward the national team setup, adding:
“I am incredibly grateful to the entire delegation and my teammates because they were always by my side, giving me a lot of strength to help me get through this ordeal. What I am living through now is the cherry on top. I am very happy and grateful for this wonderful group.”
What’s Next for Argentina in the World Cup?
Looking ahead, Messi and La Albiceleste are preparing for another highly anticipated Group Stage clash against Austria on Monday, before wrapping up their group fixtures with a match against Jordan.
