Lionel Messi used the front of his blue-and-white, sweat-soaked jersey to wipe the tears from his eyes, a flood of emotions cracking his usual calm serenity after he gave Argentina an early lead in their World Cup opener against Algeria.
Then he scored again. And again.
Suddenly, any questions about Messi's hamstring injury, or whether he could help Argentina become the third team to win consecutive World Cups — even as his 39th birthday approaches next week — had been answered.
