World Cup 2026: Lionel Messi, the Hollywood masterpiece

First match? A hat trick! Like in the theater, Lionel Messi gave the three knocks announcing the show to come as the curtain-raiser to a World Cup where the 39-year-old artist delighted his fans, broke records and led his beloved Argentina to the final.

The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner delivered a 2026 vintage of the highest quality, a mix of bewildering dribbles and thunderous goals, a version closer to his Barcelona golden age than his PSG ghost.

And he wasted no time in showing it: Algeria was struck by lightning (3-0), with two lightning strikes and a goal scored like a fox in the box, as if he wanted to quickly prove wrong those who wanted to bury him.

The captain had a boyish grin as he celebrated, enveloped in the unconditional love of his teammates and fans, who were ecstatic. As the song goes, "for the Falklands, for Diego, for Leo's last match, Argentina, I want to see you a double world champion."

With these words, the unofficial anthem of the Albiceleste at the 2026 World Cup, "La Cuarta Estrella" (the 4th star), unequivocally sums up the state of mind that drives the team: on the field, there are ten soldiers and one Messi.

"Worthy of Hollywood"

Number 10 was on fire again in the second match. Despite missing a penalty, he scored twice against Austria (2-0) and claimed the record for goals scored in the World Cup.

Yet, despite the journalists' repeated requests, the humble hero refused to take all the credit after his brilliant performance: "I was very angry because of the penalty."

His goals are flowing like ketchup: a direct free kick here against Jordan (3-1), the opening goal against Cape Verde (3-2 aet) there and the equalizing goal against Egypt (3-2) to bring his total to eight in six matches.

This epic round of 16 saw him miss a penalty, again, then turn the tables with a pinpoint cross for Cristian Romero (2-1, 79th minute) and a winning half-volley (83rd minute, 2-2), before the liberating goal scored by Enzo Fernandez (90th+2, 3-2).

Argentina's hero, carried in triumph by his friends, found himself so close to the exit that he collapsed in tears at the final whistle.

"It's worthy of Hollywood," like a scenario that "would never happen in real life," Thierry Henry summarized on Fox Sports. "This guy is making history with his feet, it's unreal," insisted the former French striker, who played alongside "La Pulga" (the flea) at Barça.

Absolute freedom

Certainly, Messi no longer runs like he used to, but he hunts by walking, he watches for the slightest nervousness, scans the field in search of a small opening and he rushes into it like a great greedy man, quick as lightning.

His situational intelligence leads him to move from the center to the right side, particularly at the end of the match, and his dedicated teammates take it upon themselves to compensate for this creative freedom.

"Let him do what he wants on the field," as his coach, Lionel Scaloni, bluntly reminded everyone when asked about the possibility that Messi might no longer be the designated penalty taker after his two misses.

Physically, the almost-forty-year-old seemed to have rediscovered his youth during this sixth personal World Cup. He knows his body perfectly, makes sure not to make unnecessary runs, and he still has incredible energy at the end of each match.

Therefore, former international Joe Cole was very imprudent when he asserted that England, in the semi-final, would "knock him out".

Because yes, Messi emerged at the end of a suffocating summit to make two decisive passes for Enzo Fernandez (85th) and Lautaro Martinez (90th+2, 2-1) and overturn a Three Lions with worn-out claws.

The final act will unfold on Sunday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, a gigantic stadium in the New York suburbs that is home to the NFL's Giants. A perfect setting for the young prodigy.

AFP