Messi Celebrates Historic Hat-Trick in Argentina’s World Cup Opener

Argentina’s captain Lionel Messi expressed great happiness following his team’s 3-0 victory over Algeria in the opening match of the 2026 World Cup. He highlighted the special significance of winning the first game while achieving a historic hat-trick that tied the record for the most goals scored in World Cup history with 16 goals.

Speaking in the mixed zone after the match, Messi said he looked forward to celebrating this remarkable moment with his family, teammates, and fans. He added, "It’s a beautiful moment to start the tournament with this scene, and I will celebrate this important and big victory with the players in the dressing room."

The captain of the "Tango" team confirmed he felt physically fit and noted that the win was not easy despite the large scoreline. He stated, "I am in good shape, and fortunately, we won a difficult match. It is important to win the first game, which is always complicated. The first half was tough, but we knew how to handle them."

Messi also extended his gratitude to the large Argentine crowd present at the stadium, emphasizing that the passion of the Argentine people for football is renewed everywhere. He said, "I thank the fans because they showed that the Argentine people are crazy about football. I thank them for everything we felt from them, whether in Qatar (2022) or here in America."

The Argentine star concluded his remarks by stressing the importance of enjoying these historic moments. He said, "We have to enjoy these moments, and they should enjoy them too. We are grateful to them and always feel their support."