Lionel Messi has already more than proven himself.
It’s why his tearful response to his hat trick in Argentina’s opening World Cup match against Algeria had nothing to do with the fact the goals launched him into a new echelon of FIFA record-makers.
“Honestly, completely unrelated to the sport,” he told reporters following the match, per The Athletic. “I went through some difficult, complicated days.”
And though the 38-year-old didn’t elaborate on his private struggles, he did express his appreciation to those who have always had his back on and off the pitch.
“I’m grateful to the entire delegation, to my teammates,” he added. “They were always there for me, as always. They gave me a lot of strength to get through this, and that’s all.”
The three goals not only cemented Argentina’s victory against Algeria in the group stage, but they also made Messi the oldest player to score a hat trick at the World Cup and launched him alongside Germany’s Miroslav Klose as the top scorers ever at the tournament with 16 goals apiece.
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