Antonela Roccuzzo experienced an unforgettable evening, one that any family would cherish forever. From the stands of Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, the Rosario native celebrated alongside her three children as Lionel Messi delivered a stunning hat trick in Argentina's 3-0 triumph over Algeria during the 2026 World Cup debut.
Arriving hours before the match, Antonela and her sons, Thiago, Mateo, and Ciro, proudly sported the iconic number 10 jersey. Together, they enjoyed a memorable night cheering on the Argentine captain from the stands.
After the final whistle blew, Antonela shared touching family photos on Instagram, expressing her pride for her husband with a heartfelt message: "Let's go Argentina!!!! Always with you @leomessi!!!! You're incredible!!!"
Messi's response was swift and endearing, as he commented with characteristic humility, "I love you all."
And rightfully so. The captain delivered an outstanding performance, marking his first hat trick in World Cup history. His first goal, a sublime left-footed shot into the top corner, came at the 16th minute, igniting the crowd and stirring deep emotions within Messi himself.
After the match, the soccer star explained the tears that followed his opening goal. He revealed having faced challenging days recently and expressed gratitude for the unwavering support from his teammates and the entire Argentine delegation.
Messi completed his hat trick with two more goals in the second half, reaffirming his status as the Albiceleste's leading figure. With these goals, he reached 16 World Cup goals, equaling Miroslav Klose's all-time tournament record.
The night held another special milestone: the match against Algeria marked Messi's 200th appearance for Argentina, further cementing his legendary career.
When Lionel Scaloni substituted him in the 79th minute, over 77,000 fans at the stadium rose to their feet, delivering a spine-tingling ovation. The Argentine coach couldn't hide his admiration either: "He's incredible. Everyone in football wants to watch and enjoy him."
Meanwhile, in the stands, Antonela and the children celebrated another unforgettable chapter in Leo's career. A familiar sight in the captain's monumental moments: his family standing by him at every step of his journey.
Argentina is set to face Austria on June 22nd, and it seems likely that Antonela and her children will be there once again, supporting the number 10 in pursuit of a new World Cup dream.
Messi's Historic World Cup Performance
How did Messi achieve a hat trick against Algeria?
Messi scored his hat trick with an initial left-footed shot into the top corner at the 16th minute, followed by two more goals in the second half, demonstrating his exceptional skill and leadership.
What significance did this match hold for Messi's career?
The match against Algeria was Messi's 200th appearance for the Argentine national team and marked his first World Cup hat trick, tying him with Miroslav Klose for the most goals scored in World Cup history.