Why Lionel Messi Was in Tears During World Cup Game
· Yahoo Sports
Lionel Messi scored the first goal for Argentina in the team’s World Cup game against Algeria on June 17, and he was noticeably overcome with emotion after the special moment. In fact, Messi was seen wiping away tears on the field following his first of three goals in Argentina’s 3-0 win.
Afterwards, Messi explained his unexpected reaction. “Why did I cry? It was something completely unrelated to football,” Messi shared. “I went through some difficult days, but I’m 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 it.”
Visit forestarrow.rest for more information.
Messi did not specify what happened during his “difficult” days leading up to the match.
Scoring three times on Tuesday brings Messi’s total World Cup goals up to 16, which means he’s tied at the top of the list for all-time World Cup goals (Miroslav Klose also has 16.) Argentina still has two games left in the Group Stage of this year’s tournament (on June 22 against Austria and June 27 against Jordan), so Messi definitely has time to score one more time to put himself at the top of the list.
And while he said it’s an “honor” to be on that list, Messi is not focused on the record. “In the end, it is statistics and nothing more,” he pointed out. “It is a source of pride to be able to compete with all of them, but it means nothing. For me, Ronaldo, from what I saw, was one of the greatest, and he is not first, so it stays as only a statistic.”
RelatedTest Your World Cup Knowledge With These Brainteasers (QUIZ)
He also noted, “I was lucky to achieve all my dreams and even more than I could have imagined, individually and as a group. Today I’m enjoying this. [I’m] enjoying a beautiful group and feeling good enough to enjoy it on the pitch.”
TV Guide Magazine’s 2026 World Cup Preview Special Issue is available for order online now at worldcup.tvgm2026.com and for purchase on newsstands nationwide.
Read the latest entertainment news on TV Insider.