Messi gets hat-trick ball from AFA chief after Algeria win

Lionel Messi received the match ball after scoring a hat-trick in Argentina's 3-0 victory over Algeria in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. As the star player spoke to reporters, the president of the Argentine Football Association (AFA), Claudio Tapia, walked by carrying what appeared to be the ball from Messi's hat-trick.

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I don't know if it's the ball that Chiqui has.

"I don't know if it's the ball that Chiqui [Tapia] has," Messi told a journalist in the mixed zone, noticing Tapia with the ball. When asked if it was Leo's ball, Tapia, smiling, handed it to Messi. The Inter Miami forward received it, examined it, and then returned it to Tapia, who continued on his way.

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That's the ball Marito had. Maybe it is, maybe it isn't.

Messi concluded, "That's the ball Marito [De Stéfano, the team's kit man] had. Maybe it is, maybe it isn't." A hat-trick, a term originating from British cricket, is awarded in football for scoring three goals in a single match, with the ball often becoming the prize.

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It was something outside of sports. I had a difficult few days and complicated. Grateful to the delegation and all my teammates. They were always by my side and gave me strength to be well.

With his three goals against Algeria, Messi has now scored 16 World Cup goals, equaling Miroslav Klose's record. Following the match, Messi explained his emotional reaction after his first goal, stating, "I had a difficult few days." He expressed gratitude to the delegation and his teammates for their unwavering support during a challenging personal period, though he did not specify the exact nature of his difficulties.

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We were well-positioned when we had the ball and managed the game very well.