Hat-trick and tears: Messi weeps over ailing father in victory against Algeria

Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick against Algeria (3-0) during the group stage of the 2026 World Cup, but it was his visible emotion on the pitch that captured attention as much as his goals. After his first goal in the 15th minute, the Inter Miami forward broke down in tears, surrounded by his teammates.

Questioned after the match, Messi acknowledged the tears while clarifying they had nothing to do with football. “I cried after the first goal, yes. It was something completely unrelated to football. I’ve been through difficult days, but I’m grateful to the entire delegation and my teammates because they’ve always been by my side, giving me a lot of strength,” he said.

According to Argentine journalist Eduardo Feinmann, these “difficult days” are linked to the health condition of his father, Jorge Messi, aged 68. “It’s about his father. He hasn’t been well since last year already. Jorge Messi is suffering from a fairly serious health problem. And this week, things got a bit worse,” he explained on Mitre radio.

On the sporting front, Messi’s performance was historic. At almost 39 years old, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner equalled Miroslav Klose’s record by becoming the World Cup’s most prolific goalscorer in history. He also eclipsed Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland, both of whom scored a brace on the same day of competition.

This hat-trick ideally launches Argentina’s quest for a fourth World Cup title, but the image of a tearful Messi, supported by his partners in a moment of personal vulnerability, will remain etched from that evening.