Argentine reports link Messi’s tears to his father’s health

Argentina opened the 2026 World Cup with a 3-0 win over Algeria, but the moment that drew the most attention came after Lionel Messi’s first goal, when the captain appeared to cry on camera. The reaction sparked questions in Argentina about what caused the unusual display of emotion.

After the match, Messi gave a brief explanation, saying, “It’s not related to football. I’ve had a few difficult and complicated days,” and thanked his teammates and the national team staff for supporting him recently.

Argentine journalist Eduardo Feinman said on Radio Mitre that Messi’s father, Jorge Messi, is dealing with a serious health problem. According to Feinman, the condition has been ongoing for several months and worsened somewhat over the past week. He said this was the reason for Messi’s emotional reaction after the goal against Algeria.

Feinman suggested the tears reflected both relief after a strong start to the tournament and the pressure of a difficult personal period for the family. Messi’s circle and the Argentina national team did not comment on the reports, and the details of Jorge Messi’s condition remain unclear.