Lionel Messi Draws Inspiration from Rafael Nadal After Matching World Cup Goals Record

Lionel Messi reflects on his impressive performance against Algeria, which saw him equal Miroslav Klose's World Cup goal record, and cites Rafael Nadal as a source of motivation.

Lionel Messi has shared insights into his ongoing success as he led Argentina to a 3-0 victory over Algeria in their opening match of the 2026 World Cup. The star of Inter Miami scored a remarkable hat-trick, which allowed him to match the all-time goals record in the tournament, and he later mentioned tennis champion Rafael Nadal as a significant influence on his mindset.

Approaching his 39th birthday next week, Messi showed exceptional skill as he maneuvered through the Algerian defense in Kansas City. After the game, he spoke with ESPN, revealing that he draws motivation from Nadal to sustain his high level of performance on the global stage. "I'm enjoying this, I feel very good and happy on the pitch," Messi stated. "I love playing football; it's been my passion since I was a little kid, and I always give my best. We're watching a series about Rafael Nadal right now, and I feel like him, in that sense, of giving everything and enjoying what you do."

Messi's hat-trick not only contributed to the victory but also placed him level with German football legend Miroslav Klose at the top of the World Cup scoring leaderboard. Amid the celebration of his achievement, the Argentina captain remained modest when discussing his standing among football's all-time greats. "I don't look at the goals, the records... It's an honour to be with Klose, Ronaldo is there too, [Kylian] Mbappe who scored two today, but they're just statistics, nothing more," he commented. "Ronaldo was one of the greatest I've ever seen, and he's not first. You try to do your best, as always. I didn't see the goals on TV; I was enjoying them with my teammates and my family. I'll watch them properly later."

Despite the impressive final score, Messi acknowledged that the match against Algeria presented challenges, especially in the early stages. He took this opportunity to underscore the increasing competitiveness of international football. "They have good players; they are dynamic, and we tried to dominate the game, but we struggled with possession, as we generally do, especially in the first half," Messi noted. "You can see in this World Cup that all the teams are well-prepared; there are strong teams, and you can tell that nobody gives anything away."

Reflecting on his extensive career with the Argentina national team, Messi discussed the emotional rollercoaster from previous disappointments in finals to the recent successes under coach Lionel Scaloni. He remarked that the outlook in Argentina has shifted significantly since their victories in the 2022 World Cup and Copa America. "There were good times, bad times, many bad times, but luckily things changed, and I now enjoy the national team in a different way," he explained. "We're a very result-oriented country; we lost three finals in a row, and that group was marked by that. After winning, everything we achieved later is valued much more, with a World Cup and two Copa Americas."

In expressing gratitude to the fans, he added, "Thank you to the Argentinians for coming, for being here, just like they did in Qatar."

Messi, now competing in his sixth World Cup, remains both physically fit and mentally eager. While he laughed off the idea of participating in a seventh World Cup in 2030, he reiterated his unwavering dedication to excellence, particularly during his tenure with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer. "I felt good; I prepared as best I could physically to be at the level of my teammates," he said about his current performance. "Everything that comes next is for me to enjoy; I want to keep competing. In Miami, I never stopped pushing myself, wanting more, giving my best and feeling good mentally and physically. Do I know there are only two back-to-back World Cup champions? Yes, but we must continue like this, give everything for the group, and we will see."