India, June 17 -- Lionel Messi was left in tears after scoring his first goal en route to a historic hat-trick in Argentina's FIFA World Cup 2026 opener against Algeria on Tuesday night in Kansas City. Given the emotional weight surrounding what is expected to be his final World Cup, many initially assumed the tears were linked to the occasion itself. Messi later admitted the moment carried deep personal significance, but stopped short of revealing the reason.

A fresh report has now shed light on what was behind the emotional scenes.

According to Argentine radio station Radio Mitre, the most-listened-to broadcaster in the country, Messi's tears were triggered by a serious health concern involving his father, Jorge Messi. The 68-year-old...