‘There’s a secret’ - How Lionel Messi made ‘flying’ start to World Cup 2026 with Argentina

Lionel Messi showed once again why he’s the GOAT with an inspirational display to lead Argentina to a 3-0 win over Algeria in their first game of the tournament.

The Argentina captain may be set to turn 39 next week but showed he’s still a class act with three goals which saw him tie Miroslav Klose as the World Cup’s all-time goalscorer.

Argentine journalist Sergio Levinsky, who has written a biography on Messi and followed the national team at the last 11 World Cups, says he knows why Messi is in such great shape.

“There’s a secret to his current condition. Messi underwent special, highly secretive preparation,” he told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“Did you see Inter Miami’s last four matches? He was flying, literally. Even De Paul was impressed. He came on in a friendly against Iceland and changed everything. His objective was the World Cup.”

Levinsky was also asked if Messi is driven by the aim of winning another World Cup and insists that’s not quite the case.

“It’s not like that. For him, the dream of a lifetime was the World Cup in Qatar, and he achieved it,” he added.

“This would be an added bonus, as you say. We call it ‘yapa’, something you don’t expect but if it comes, after you’ve already won everything, it’s wonderful…’”

Messi and Argentina play their second group game on Monday against Austria in Dallas.