Video: Messi's greeting to Kun Agüero during warm-up

A heartwarming moment unfolded during the pre-match warm-up for Argentina's game against Algeria when Lionel Messi approached his close friend and former roommate, Sergio Agüero. Agüero, who retired from professional football after the 2022 World Cup, was present at the stadium and broadcasting live for ESPN.

The video footage shows Messi walking over to Agüero, who was in the middle of a live broadcast with fellow commentators. Messi leaned in to give Agüero a kiss, leaving the former striker visibly emotional and smiling. This gesture resonated deeply on social media, highlighting the enduring bond between the two.

Messi and Agüero share a long-standing friendship, forged over many years playing together for the Argentine national team. During the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, they shared several emotional moments, including Agüero joining Messi on the field after Argentina's victory. Messi also acknowledged Maxi Rodríguez, another influential player from his past, with a kiss and an embrace, receiving a warm ovation from the crowd.

Following these touching interactions, Argentina secured a convincing 3-0 victory over Algeria in their opening match of the 2026 World Cup. Lionel Messi was the star of the game, scoring a hat-trick and becoming the joint all-time leading scorer in World Cup history with 16 goals, alongside Miroslav Klose. His performance also marked him as both the youngest and oldest player to score in the tournament.