Messi weeps after World Cup hat-trick as father Jorge battles serious health problems

Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick as Argentina opened their World Cup title defence with a 3-0 victory over Algeria, but the 39-year-old was visibly emotional after netting his first goal — with reports emerging that his father, Jorge Messi, is dealing with a serious health issue.

After the match, Messi addressed his tears directly, stopping short of naming the cause. “No, honestly it’s something completely unrelated to sports,” he told reporters. “It’s been a few difficult days, complicated.”

Sports journalist Eduardo Feinmann subsequently shed light on the situation during an appearance on Radio Mitre. “This has to do with his father. His father is not in good health,” Feinmann said. “For quite some time now, several months, since last year. And this week there were some situations that slightly worsened his health, and Messi is going through this internal struggle. In other words, like any human being.”

On the pitch, Messi’s performance gave little indication of the personal weight he was carrying. The Inter Miami midfielder drove Argentina’s attack throughout, delivering the kind of display that has defined his international career and reinforced why his country enters the tournament as defending champions.

The emotional scenes added a deeply human dimension to what was otherwise a commanding start for Argentina. Messi, who turns 40 during the tournament, is widely expected to be playing in his final World Cup, lending every moment — and every goal — an additional layer of significance.

Neither Messi nor his representatives have issued a formal statement regarding Jorge Messi’s condition.