Former Nigeria captain and coach Sunday Oliseh describes Lionel Messi’s performance in Argentina’s 2026 FIFA World Cup opener as extraordinary, saying the level of play has gone beyond conventional football. Both outlets report that Oliseh refers to Messi as a kind of “AI” version of himself, emphasizing how the forward’s effectiveness and impact resemble something superhuman rather than typical athletic performance. The reports add that Messi delivers an exceptional display in the match, including a hat-trick, as Argentina begins their World Cup title defence with a 3-0 win. Oliseh’s remarks frame Messi’s tournament contribution as an evolution of his game—suggesting his influence is now greater than before. The articles present the comments as personal assessment by Oliseh rather than a formal evaluation from governing bodies or match officials. No additional context on tactical details or broader tournament implications beyond the opener is provided in the accounts.