LIONEL MESSI broke down in tears after scoring his first goal in this year’s World Cup for Argentina.
Messi, 38, set the pace for the competition’s Golden Boot with his first ever hat-trick in the competition during a 3-0 victory over Algeria at the Arrowhead last night.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner opened the scoring after just 17 minutes with a brilliant shot from distance.
After celebrating his first goal in this year’s tournament, the camera caught the Argentina captain wiping tears off his eyes with his jersey.
After netting another two and equalling Miroslav Klose’s record of most World Cup goals in the history of the competition, the Inter Miami superstar was asked about his emotional celebration.
And the star forward revealed he cried over “something completely unrelated to football”.
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Messi said: “I cried after the first goal, yes… But it was something completely unrelated to football.
“I went through some difficult days, but I’m grateful to the entire delegation and my teammates because they were always by my side, giving me a lot of strength”.
Messi didn’t specify what kind of difficulties he endured that led to his breakdown during the first half.
However, there had been a lot of uncertainty surrounding the Barcelona legend’s status leading to the World Cup.
For months, neither the ex-Paris Saint-Germain star nor Argentina would clarify whether he would be present in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The Albiceleste’s record goalscorer also suffered a hamstring injury just weeks before the tournament while in action with Miami.
However, Messi managed to regain full fitness and lead his national team for potentially the last time on the world stage.
The Argentinean great led Lionel Scaloni’s side to their third World Cup four years ago in Qatar – a triumph that sealed his first ever trophy in the competition.
