MESSI says his tears after first goal were caused by ‘something completely unrelated to sports.’

Wednesday, June 17, 2026 - Superstar footballer Lionel Messi has revealed that he is going through a difficult period in his personal life, despite making history by scoring his first FIFA World Cup hat-trick in Argentina’s victory over Algeria.

The Argentinian broke down in tears after finding the net just 17 minutes into the match.

Messi, who turns 39 in a week, later scored two goals in  Algeria’s 3-0 victory in Kansas City to tie Germany's Miroslav Klose's record for most men's World Cup goals  at 16.

Opening up on his personal struggles after the game, he said: 'The truth is, it's something completely unrelated to sports.

'I had some difficult, complicated days, but I'm grateful to the entire delegation, to all my teammates because they were always by my side, as always, giving me a lot of strength to be okay, and that's all.'

He did not elaborate on his difficulties but instead spoke of an 'amazing' experience on what was his 200th cap for Argentina.

'Like I say, everything I'm experiencing now is amazing. I was lucky enough to achieve all my dreams, at a level, or even more, than I could have reached individually and as part of a team.

'Today I'm enjoying this, being part of a wonderful group, feeling good, and thankfully, being able to enjoy it on the field the way I've always loved to.

'And honestly, everything I've experienced is so much more than I could have imagined when I was a kid.'

'I love playing football, it's been my passion since I was little, and when I'm feeling good I give it my all. We're watching Rafa Nadal's series now, and I identify with him a lot,' he said.

'I think we're very similar in that sense, that I always want to give my best, I always want to feel good and I enjoy it that way, and well, as long as I can, and I'm fit to do it, I'll do it.'