LIONEL MESSI EXPLAINS WHY HE CRIED IN 2026 WORLD CUP OPENER AFTER SCORING A HAT-TRICK

The Argentinian soccer star broke down in tears after scoring his first goal for the team against Algeria in the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday, June 16

Lionel Messi World Cup, Argentina vs. Algeria.
Credit : Tom Weller/picture alliance via Getty

NEED TO KNOW

• Lionel Messi became emotional after scoring his first goal in Argentina's 3-0 World Cup win against Algeria

• The soccer star credited his teammates for their support and said he's going through a challenging time unrelated to the game

• Messi tied the World Cup scoring record with 16 goals and secured his first-ever World Cup hat trick

Lionel Messi left his heart on the field.

The Argentine soccer star, 38, opened up about why he was visibly emotional after scoring his first of three goals in the 2026 World Cup during his team's matchup against Algeria on Tuesday, June 16.

"Why did I cry? It was something completely unrelated to football. I went through some difficult days," Messi said, after he was seen using the front of his white-and-blue, sweat-soaked jersey to wipe the tears from his eyes as he helped Argentina shut out Algeria 3-0 at Kansas City Stadium.

Lionel Messi #10 and players of Argentina line up to applaud fans after the team's 3-0 victory in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group J match between Argentina and Algeria at Kansas City Stadium on June 16, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri.
Michael Steele/Getty

"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," continued the soccer legend, who's playing in his record ‌sixth ⁠World Cup.

Messi, who turns 39 next week, ⁠didn't share further details on what prompted his emotions after that first strike, which marked one of three to secure his first-ever World Cup hat trick .

His emotional first goal came off a feed from Inter Miami teammate Rodrigo De Paul in the first few minutes of the matchup. He scored another early in the second half and secured his third goal moments before subbing out to a standing ovation from a crowd of 69,045 fans.

With his three goals during Argentina's victorious opening game against Algeria, Messi tied Germany's Miroslav Klose for the most goals in a men's World Cup with 16.

"At a loss for words about Leo. What can I say?" Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said after the match. "He's incredible."

Messi had his family in attendance to support him during the match in Kansas City, including his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, and their three sons, Thiago, Mateo and Ciro.

Lionel Messi of Argentina during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group J match between Argentina and Algeria at Kansas City Stadium on June 16, 2026 in Kansas City, United States.
ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP via Getty 

The remarkable performance by Messi laid to rest any concern about his hamstring scare, which had fans worried after he was seen limping off of the field during a Major League Soccer matchup on Sunday, May 24.

- Skyler Caruso

BRITISH STAR BURSTS INTO TEARS AFTER AUSTRALIAN OPEN VICTORY AFTER NEARLY QUITTING TENNIS

Jodie Burrage secured her first ever win at the Australian Open

Jodie Burrage has endured a raft of injuries and considered walking away from the sport during her recovery but stuck at it and has now landed a first ever Australian Open win

Jodie Burrage was left in tears after securing her first Australian Open main-draw victory - shortly after the Brit considered retiring after a horrid run of injuries.

The 25-year-old claimed a 6-2 6-4 success over French qualifier Leolia Jeanjean in Melbourne - six months after Burrage weighed up whether or not she should continue playing the sport. She was left crying "happy tears" after her victory Down Under.

Burrage hit 23 winners en route to beating Jeanjean, who is ranked 24 places higher than her, and her reward is a clash with American third seed Coco Gauff in the second round.

She secured victory on her first match point and immediately sunk to the ground, covering her face with her hands. Burrage returned to her chair and spent a few moments crying under a towel after taking in the crowd's applause.

She said: "It was a good decision (not to retire). All of those emotions from the last nine months I think were bottled up in there. I think because I know I have been playing some good tennis, I know what such a good opportunity today was. I knew the hard work that went in for the last year."

It was back in 2020 that Burrage first considered quitting tennis as she battled several injuries before fighting back to enjoy some landmark victories. A maiden Grand Slam win came at Wimbledon in 2023, later landing her an appearance on Centre Court in the second round. She also secured a win at that year's US Open.

That left her a career-high 84th in the world before her progress was derailed by injuries, once again. In February Burrage required surgery on a snapped tendon in her wrist - the fourth operation of her career. She then suffered another blow in April when she was closing in on a return to action.

Jodie Burrage cut an emotional figure after considering retirement

Burrage ruptured an ankle ligament in a practice session with fellow Brit Katie Boulter - whom Burrage now avoids training with after claiming she has PTSD. That injury resulted in her missing another 10 weeks.

The 26-year-old made her comeback on the lower-tier ITF Futures Tour. Burrage later broke down in tears during a training session and questioned whether it was worth the struggles, but has now seen all her efforts vindicated at the Australian Open.

Harriet Dart is another Brit joining Burrage in the second round. She saved two match points in a 7-5 2-6 7-6 (10-7) win over Croatian qualifier Jana Fett. Dart had lost in qualifying but ended up in the draw as a lucky loser when 2023 Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova withdrew through injury earlier on Monday.

- Samuel Meade

LUIS "CRY BABY" SUAREZ | REVENGE IS SWEET