KANSAS CITY (special envoy) – In front of nearly 70,000 spectators, the crowd erupted in chants of ‘Meeeessi, Meeeessi’ as the Argentinian captain left the field in the 78th minute of the World Cup 2026 debut against Algeria. Lionel Messi not only led his team to victory but also broke two significant records, further solidifying his status as a football legend.
The enthusiastic applause and roars from the Argentine fans reflected their support as Messi scored his first goal, a moment of emotional release for the star. He commented post-match, saying, ‘It was a matter unrelated to sports. I went through some difficult days. I’m grateful to the delegation and all my teammates. They have always been by my side and gave me strength to be well.’ The captain faces complicated family moments, with some loved ones traveling thousands of miles to support him, and he reciprocated with his exemplary performance on the field.
Messi made history at Arrowhead Stadium, becoming the player with the most World Cup appearances at six. He also matched the record of Miroslav Klose as the highest goal-scorer in World Cup history with 16 goals, having previously scored his first World Cup goal exactly twenty years ago on June 16, 2006, in a match against Serbia and Montenegro. 
Humbly, Messi stated, ‘It’s an honor to be alongside Klose, Ronaldo, and Mbappé. In the end, it’s just statistics, but it’s an honor to compete with all of them. It doesn’t mean much; Ronaldo is one of the greatest and isn’t in first place, so it’s all just a statistic.’ This attitude reflects his commitment to the game beyond mere records, as he continues to strive for excellence.
As the match progressed, Messi displayed his skill and poise, scoring three goals that set the stadium ablaze with excitement. The atmosphere was electric as he warmed up, interacting with fans and showing no signs of stress before taking to the field.
Now, with only 1276 days since his last World Cup triumph in Doha, Messi reaffirmed his position among football’s elite. As he prepares to celebrate his 39th birthday during the tournament, amidst personal challenges, he reiterated, ‘My passion is playing football since I was a child and when I’m well, I give my best. I identify a lot with Rafa Nadal; I always want to feel good. As long as I can and I’m well, I’m going to be there.’
Джерело: www.lanacion.com.ar
