Argentina captain Lionel Messi has opened up about the emotional scenes that followed his opening goal against Algeria, revealing that his tears were linked to personal struggles rather than his latest football achievement.

The 38-year-old delivered a vintage performance as Argentina began the defence of their FIFA World Cup title with an impressive 3-0 victory over Algeria in Kansas City on Wednesday.

Messi scored all three goals in the 17th, 60th and 76th minutes, registering the first World Cup hat-trick of his illustrious career and moving level with the tournament's joint all-time leading scorer on 16 goals.

Despite the historic accomplishment, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner insisted that breaking records was not at the forefront of his mind.

Speaking after the match, Messi said the greatest joy came from sharing the moment with his family, teammates, and supporters who have remained by his side throughout his career.

"It is a beautiful moment to enjoy with my family and teammates. I'm very happy," he said.

The Argentine superstar also downplayed the significance of matching the World Cup scoring record, describing it as merely a statistic.

"It is an honour to be mentioned alongside great players who have achieved so much in this competition, but in the end, it's just a statistic," Messi noted.

While the goals and records dominated headlines, many fans were curious about the emotional reaction that followed his first strike of the tournament.

Television cameras captured Messi in tears shortly after opening the scoring, sparking widespread discussion across social media platforms.

Addressing the moment, the Inter Miami forward disclosed that the emotions stemmed from personal difficulties he had experienced in recent days.

"I cried after the first goal, but it had nothing to do with football," Messi explained.

"I went through some difficult moments recently, and I am grateful to my teammates and everyone in the delegation who supported me and gave me strength."

Messi also praised the unity and spirit within the Argentina squad, describing the group as one of the team's greatest strengths.

According to him, securing victory in the opening game was crucial as the South Americans look to retain the trophy they won four years ago.

The Argentina captain also thanked supporters for their unwavering backing, noting that fans once again filled the stadium and created an electric atmosphere.

Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni was among those who applauded Messi's latest display, saying the football icon continues to inspire teammates and fans alike.

Scaloni remarked that after two decades at the highest level, Messi still finds ways to produce extraordinary performances whenever he steps onto the pitch.

Several teammates echoed the coach's sentiments, describing the veteran forward as a driving force behind the team's ambitions and praising his influence both on and off the field.

With the perfect start to their Group J campaign secured, Argentina will now turn their attention to their next fixture, while Messi continues his pursuit of further World Cup history.