An article published by Sport 5 on June 17, 2026, highlights reactions to Lionel Messi after a hat trick. The piece quotes an Algerian player saying, "We lost to the greatest football player of all time," underscoring the level of admiration Messi drew.
The report also notes praise from Erling Haaland, who described Messi as "crazy," adding to the chorus of recognition around the Argentine star. The story frames these comments as part of the response to Messi's standout performance.
The article appears in the context of the 2026 World Cup. It names Algeria's Issa Mandi and Vladimir Petković alongside Haaland, but provides no additional match details beyond the praise for Messi and the reference to the hat trick.