Tuesday was always going to be a monumental affair. After all, it marked the start of Argentina’s fierce title defense, opening 2026 World Cup play against Algeria at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.
Nevertheless, the match, which resulted in a 3–0 win for the South American side, took on even more significance simply when Messi stepped onto the pitch and had left an unforgettable legacy by the time he exited 80 minutes later.