Lionel Messi's emotional outburst after scoring a historic hat-trick in Argentina's FIFA World Cup 2026 opener against Algeria has been revealed to be linked to a serious health concern involving his father, Jorge Messi.
According to Argentine radio station Radio Mitre, Jorge, 68, has been battling health issues for several months, with his condition worsening in the week leading up to the World Cup opener.
Messi, who delivered one of the finest performances of his World Cup career, scoring four goals and drawing level with Miroslav Klose on 16 goals, made a heartfelt thank you to his teammates and delegation for helping him navigate a difficult period.
Speaking after the match, Messi hinted at the personal struggles he had been dealing with, saying it was 'something completely unrelated to sports' and that he had been experiencing 'difficult, complicated days'.
Argentine media reports further claimed that Jorge suffered a medical episode at his home in January and was subsequently hospitalised, undergoing cardiovascular and neurological examinations.
Despite the emotional burden, Messi remained focused on the pitch, delivering a landmark performance that drew praise from fans and pundits alike.
