18/06/2026 13:35 - Deportes
Lionel Messi celebrando un gol con la camiseta número 10 de Argentina en un estadio mundialista repleto de fanáticos, con los brazos extendidos hacia el cielo y expresión de alegría absoluta
France's national team manager, Didier Deschamps, did not hold back in his praise of Lionel Messi after the Argentine captain's memorable night at Kansas City Stadium. After witnessing Messi's hat-trick in Argentina's Group J opener against Algeria at the 2026 World Cup, Deschamps declared with admiration: "In football, there are great players, there are legends... and then there's Messi."
The World Cup-winning manager with France in 2018 recognized the extraordinary dimension that the player from Rosario, Argentina, holds in football history. Messi became the first player ever to appear in six World Cups, a milestone no other footballer had achieved since the tournament began in 1930.
Messi opened the scoring in the 16th minute, extended the lead in the 59th minute, and completed his hat-trick in the 75th minute. The 3-0 victory placed Argentina at the top of Group J with 3 points and a +3 goal difference, the second-best World Cup debut in Argentine history after the 4-0 win over Greece in 1994 (with a Batistuta hat-trick).
The match was held at Kansas City Stadium before 70,000 spectators, officiated by Polish referee Szymon Marciniak.
| Date | Opponent | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| June 22 | Austria | Dallas |
| June 27 | Jordan | Dallas |
Didier Deschamps is one of the most respected figures in world football. As a player, he captained France to World Cup glory in 1998. As a manager, he led France to World Cup victory in 2018 and reached the final in 2022, where Argentina defeated France in a thrilling penalty shootout after a 3-3 draw. This history gives his words particular weight.
Deschamps' praise adds to the growing chorus of football legends recognizing Messi during this World Cup. On the same day, Kylian Mbappé scored twice in France's 3-1 victory over Senegal, reaching 14 World Cup goals—just two shy of the record now shared by Messi and Klose.
For international readers: Lionel Messi, widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, plays as a forward for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer (MLS). Born in Rosario, Argentina, in 1987, he spent the majority of his career at FC Barcelona before moving to Paris Saint-Germain and then to the United States. He led Argentina to World Cup victory in 2022 in Qatar.
Broadcast Information: Argentina's matches are broadcast in Argentina via Telefe, TyC Sports, TV Pública, DSports, Disney+, and Paramount+. Check your local listings for availability in your region.
Sources: ESPN Argentina, FIFA official information.
Alfredo S. Quiroga
