Lionel Messi says he was in tears after scoring Argentina’s opening goal in their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group J match against Algeria. Footage shows Messi emotional immediately after the goal, prompting questions about what caused his reaction. After the match, Messi explains the reason behind his tears, clarifying that it was not related to football. The reports describe how his comments came in the immediate aftermath of the game, as Argentina moves forward in the group stage. The match is also noted for being Argentina’s opening game in Group J, with Messi scoring early to put his team in front. While details of his explanation are summarized by the outlets as non-football in nature, both sources emphasize that Messi personally addressed the incident after the final whistle. Overall, the coverage centers on his public admission and his explanation for why he was emotional following the goal against Algeria.