"From a teenager with a dream... to a legend carrying a nation's hopes"
➡️The first image takes us back to 2006.
A young Argentine wearing number 19. Long hair. Baby face. No Ballon d'Ors. No Champions League glory as the world's best. No World Cup final heartbreaks. No Copa America triumphs.
Just a kid from Rosario stepping onto football's biggest stage for the very first time.
He didn't know what awaited him.
He didn't know he would become the Greatest Footballer of All Time.
He didn't know he would win eight Ballon d'Ors, break countless records, and redefine what was possible with a football at his feet.
He didn't know the pain that was coming.
The 2014 World Cup final defeat.
The Copa America final losses in 2007, 2015, and 2016.
The criticism.
The pressure.
The tears.
The retirement announcement that shocked a nation.
For years, the World Cup remained the one missing piece.
Many doubted if it would ever happen.
➡️Then comes the second image.
No longer a teenager.
No longer a promising talent.
A veteran. A captain. A leader.
Every wrinkle, every scar, every expression tells a story of battles fought and dreams chased.
The weight of millions rests on his shoulders, but this time there is something different.
Calmness.
The look of a man who has already conquered everything football can offer.
And in between these two photos lies one of the greatest journeys sport has ever witnessed.
17 years.
5 World Cups.
Thousands of minutes.
Hundreds of goals.
Countless memories.
From the wonderkid of 2006...
To the champion of 2022.
From chasing history...
To becoming history.
Whether this is truly his last World Cup or not almost doesn't matter anymore.
Because the boy in the first picture spent his entire life searching for football immortality.
And the man in the second picture found it.
🐐🇦🇷
Some players leave records. Some players leave trophies.
He leaves an era.
🚨🚨 The Messi family statement:
"The Messi family informs that Jorge Messi is currently going through a health situation.
"At this time, he is under medical supervision, recovering and progressing favorably within the condition he is experiencing.
"In light of the reports, rumors, and speculation that have circulated in recent hours, the family wishes to express its deep concern regarding the lack of sensitivity, respect, and discretion with which some individuals have treated a strictly private family matter.
"The family would also like to clarify that only Jorge’s immediate family has real and accurate information regarding his condition. Therefore, any version, statement, or information that does not come directly from the family and its official channels should not be considered valid or truthful.
"At times like these, we ask for responsibility, prudence, and humanity. A person’s health and the peace of mind of their loved ones should not be the subject of speculation or irresponsible media attention.
"We sincerely appreciate the expressions of affection, respect, and concern we have received, and we ask that Jorge’s privacy, confidentiality, and personal space—as well as that of his entire family—be respected throughout this process.
"Any relevant updates will be communicated in due course by the family and through the appropriate channels.
"Thank you for your understanding."
🚨🗣️ Rodrigo De Paul: “Am I joking with Messi about the records he is breaking? Yes, a little because he doesn’t know most of them. I swear to you that he isn’t chasing individual records, but he ends up achieving them all.” 🥶🏆
🗣️ Lionel Messi [after the match]: “Equaling Klose’s record and surpassing Ronaldo Nazario? It is a great honor to be able to compete with all these greats, including Ronaldo Nazario, among the players I have watched. He was one of the greatest players of all time, and yet he is not in first place. So in the end, it’s just a statistic...” 😅🙏
🗣️ Alexis Mac Allister: “There is no words for Messi... if someone thought that this team was better without Leo, today it became clear that he is the most important. We have to build a team for him, wherever he feels the most comfortable, so that’s what we are doing.”
🗣️ Lionel Scaloni: “Messi will remain the best player in the world as long as he wants to.” 🇦🇷🐐
🚨🗣️ Leo Messi on equalling Klose's record of the player with the most goals in World Cup history:
"Honestly, it's an honor to be on that list, but in the end, it remains just a STAT. It's just a stat."
"I repeat that, because it seems like a beautiful thing to see you there, but in the end, it's just a number that doesn't say much."
"I'm happy with everything I've achieved. In truth, everything I'm living now is like a gift."
"By the grace of God, I've achieved everything on an individual and collective level, and now I'm living a different stage and enjoying it. "
"And if things are this way with these results and these matches, that's much better... I'm justnenjoying every moment."
There is no debate anymore.
The only people still arguing are those trying to force an agenda. For anyone watching without bias, the answer has been clear for years. 🐐
These dumb ass crybabies are embarrassing themselves.
Do they even understand the own-goal rule, or are they just complaining for the sake of it? Learn the laws before crying about the decision.
#Messi#Fifa#Argentina
🚨 Leo Messi: "I love playing football, it has been my passion since I was little. And when I'm in good form, I give everything I have on the field."
"This is my sixth World Cup, and I still feel like I'm in good shape. Fortunately, I'm doing well, and today we managed to win a tough match. It's important to start the tournament with a victory in the first game, as that's never easy in a World Cup.
"We struggled in the first half, but fortunately we overcame that, and in the second half we created a crucial difference.
"As for my message to the fans, first of all, I thank them, because they've proven once again that Argentina is an exceptional case. They've filled the stadium again, I don't know if there were 80,000 spectators or more.
"I thank them for all the effort they put in; wherever the tournament is, they're always there, whether in Qatar or now in the United States. I know the fans make huge sacrifices.
"I hope they enjoy this moment and enjoy what happened today just as much as we do. And I repeat my thanks to them, because the feeling that we're playing on home soil thanks to them always gives us a huge advantage."
🚨 Leo Messi: "Why did I cry? 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 to help me get through it.”
Lionel Messi has started his sixth World Cup campaign with a bang. 🇦🇷🐐
At nearly 40 years old, he scored his first-ever World Cup hattrick as Argentina cruised to a 3-0 victory over Algeria.
What makes Messi special isn't just the goals, it's the way he sees the game. His intelligence, movement, decision making and ability to control a match remain on a different level.
All three goals were brilliant, but the most remarkable thing is that he still makes the extraordinary look routine.
With the old guard still delivering and Scaloni's side looking as cohesive as ever, Argentina have every reason to believe they can make another deep run in this tournament.
The king isn't done yet.
FULL TIME: 🇦🇷Argentina 3-0 Algeria 🇩🇿
What a statement to begin their World Cup campaign!
Lionel Messi steals the show with his first-ever World Cup hat-trick, proving that class is truly permanent. As he approaches 39 years old, the captain continues to defy time itself.
The Argentine old guard still has what it takes to make a deep run in this tournament. Experience, quality, and a winning mentality remain at the heart of this team.
Three goals. Three points.
"From a teenager with a dream... to a legend carrying a nation's hopes"
➡️The first image takes us back to 2006.
A young Argentine wearing number 19. Long hair. Baby face. No Ballon d'Ors. No Champions League glory as the world's best. No World Cup final heartbreaks. No Copa America triumphs.
Just a kid from Rosario stepping onto football's biggest stage for the very first time.
He didn't know what awaited him.
He didn't know he would become the Greatest Footballer of All Time.
He didn't know he would win eight Ballon d'Ors, break countless records, and redefine what was possible with a football at his feet.
He didn't know the pain that was coming.
The 2014 World Cup final defeat.
The Copa America final losses in 2007, 2015, and 2016.
The criticism.
The pressure.
The tears.
The retirement announcement that shocked a nation.
For years, the World Cup remained the one missing piece.
Many doubted if it would ever happen.
➡️Then comes the second image.
No longer a teenager.
No longer a promising talent.
A veteran. A captain. A leader.
Every wrinkle, every scar, every expression tells a story of battles fought and dreams chased.
The weight of millions rests on his shoulders, but this time there is something different.
Calmness.
The look of a man who has already conquered everything football can offer.
And in between these two photos lies one of the greatest journeys sport has ever witnessed.
17 years.
5 World Cups.
Thousands of minutes.
Hundreds of goals.
Countless memories.
From the wonderkid of 2006...
To the champion of 2022.
From chasing history...
To becoming history.
Whether this is truly his last World Cup or not almost doesn't matter anymore.
Because the boy in the first picture spent his entire life searching for football immortality.
And the man in the second picture found it.
🐐🇦🇷
Some players leave records. Some players leave trophies.
He leaves an era.
Perfect from Lionel Scaloni.
Messi has his hat-trick, the game is won, and there's no reason to take any risks. With a long tournament ahead, this is the ideal moment to bring him off and keep him fresh.
Job done. Three goals. Three points. Protect the GOAT!
MESSI!!!!!
It's pure Messi mania! ⚽️⚽️⚽️
Lionel Messi scores his first-ever World Cup hat-trick and shows absolutely no signs of slowing down as he approaches 39 years of age.
The Argentine legend now draws level with World Cup all-time top scorer Miroslav Klose on 16 goals.