2026 World Cup: The Mystery Behind Lionel Messi’s Tears Unveiled

Lionel Messi’s tears after his first goal—which paved the way for the Argentina national soccer team’s victory over the Algeria national soccer team at the World Cup—quickly went viral around the world. “La Pulga” is going through a difficult time on a personal level, as he himself admitted after the match: “The truth is, it has nothing to do with sports but concerns my family,” said the 38-year-old. “I’ve been through some difficult and complicated days; I have to thank my teammates and the staff.”

According to reports coming out of South America, the reason behind his distress is the serious health condition of his father, Jorge Messi. The problem reportedly emerged some time ago and has no simple solution, so much so that his father is not currently in the United States with his son, who plays for Inter Miami CF. It is therefore a deeply felt and understandable source of distress, compounded by the very close bond between father and son.

Jorge himself is said to have played a decisive role in the champion’s career, bringing him to FC Barcelona at a very young age—when he was just 13—and setting him on the path that made him a legend in world soccer. During this difficult time, Messi can still count on the support of his national team teammates, who stand by him as he faces a challenging personal situation.