The great Messi: Argentina star turns heads with World Cup hat-trick
Lionel Messi put in a great performance in his 2026 World Cup debut, scoring a hat-trick to lead Argentina to a 3-0 victory over Algeria.
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KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Algeria’s World Cup journey began Tuesday against Argentina, with goaltender Luca Zidane starting in the team’s opener. This appearance was Zidane’s eighth international match. fennec fox.
Zidane is the son of the famous French international Zinedine Zidane. blues In 1998, they won their first World Cup on home soil.
Zidane, 28, represented France at youth level before switching allegiances in 2025. Zidane is eligible to represent Algeria because of where his grandparents are from.
“We have lived in Algerian culture since we were little,” Zidane told The Athletic. “It’s an honor to play for Algeria. The final decision was mine, but I talked it over with my family, my parents, my brother and my grandfather. My dad was happy and I knew it was something I wanted to do. It’s every kid’s dream to play in the World Cup.”
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Why is Luca Zidane wearing a mask?
Zidane will be wearing an unconventional mask. Zidane suffered a broken jaw and jaw in a collision while playing for his club team Granada in April. He required surgery and missed more than a month. It was his first time on the field since April 26, ahead of a friendly against the Algerian national team earlier this month.
Zidane kept a clean sheet against the Netherlands in the run-up to the World Cup. He made six saves in Algeria’s 1-0 win on June 3.
After the match against Argentina, Algeria will face Jordan and Austria in Group J.
