This is Lionel Messi AI, Oliseh hails World Cup hat-trick performance

Former Super Eagles manager Sunday Oliseh has lauded Lionel Messi's "superhuman" performance in Argentina's 2026 FIFA World Cup opener, describing the veteran forward as a footballing "AI" version of himself. Messi delivered a masterclass, scoring all three goals in Argentina's 3-0 victory over Algeria, just days before his 39th birthday.

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This is Lionel Messi AI. There is no other way to describe this. Never in the history of football has a 38-year-old man performed as Messi did yesterday.

Oliseh, speaking on Global Football Insights, emphasized that Messi's ability to dominate at the highest level at his age is unprecedented. "This is Lionel Messi AI. There is no other way to describe this. Never in the history of football has a 38-year-old man performed as Messi did yesterday," Oliseh stated. He highlighted not only the hat-trick but also the remarkable manner in which the goals were scored.

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Not only did he score three goals in an opening match, but the manner in which he scored them is remarkable.

The former Ajax midfielder added that Messi's brilliance reminded him of a nickname given by a childhood friend, "the oracle," but asserted that his recent performances warrant a new description. "Based on what I observed yesterday, I will now refer to him as Lionel Messi AI. It is not solely due to his three goals, but rather the manner in which he achieved them," Oliseh explained. He specifically praised the precision and movement in Messi's third goal.

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A childhood friend of mine has consistently referred to Messi as the oracle for the past 15 years. Based on what I observed yesterday, I will now refer to him as Lionel Messi AI. It is not solely due to his three goals, but rather the manner in which he achieved them.

Messi's hat-trick also saw him equal German legend Miroslav Klose's record of 16 World Cup goals. The performance underscores Messi's enduring impact on the sport, even as he approaches the twilight of his illustrious career.

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The way he struck the ball for the third goal, the precision, the movement. And Messi does not merely score tap-in goals; he certainly walks.