'Lionel Messi reminded us why he is who he is': Henry, Ibrahimovic left gobsmacked by Argentina captain's masterclass
After Messi's stunning World Cup opener against Algeria, Henry once again praised his former teammate, while also praising Argentina as defending champions.
Lionel Messi once again became the centre of attention as Argentina began their World Cup title defence with a commanding 3-0 victory over Algeria, inspired by a brilliant hat-trick from their captain. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner rolled back the years to produce one of the standout performances of the tournament, scoring the first World Cup hat-trick of his career and drawing level with Miroslav Klose as the competition's joint-highest scorer. With his 39th birthday just days away, Messi showed no signs of slowing down. Sharp, decisive and influential throughout the match, he tormented the Algerian defence and once again demonstrated why he remains the driving force behind the world champions. It was a performance that underlined both his enduring class and Argentina's ambition to retain the trophy.
Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick against Algeria. (Getty Images via AFP)
{{^htLoading}} {{/htLoading}}
Having shared the pitch with Messi at Barcelona and watched his brilliance from close range, Thierry Henry has always held the Argentine captain in the highest regard. After Messi's stunning World Cup opener against Algeria, Henry once again praised his former teammate, while also praising Argentina as defending champions.
Speaking on Fox Sports, Henry said, “We said before the game that this guy (Messi) and the guy we are going to see tomorrow (Ronaldo) are both on the moon. He reminded us why he is who he is and Argentina also reminded us why they are the holders and let’s not forget about them. But Leo is just different.”
Before the match, Zlatan Ibrahimovic had already made his feelings clear on Lionel Messi's greatness, describing the Argentina captain as a once-in-a-generation talent and insisting that football may never produce another player like him.
{{/usCountry}}
{{#usCountry}}
Before the match, Zlatan Ibrahimovic had already made his feelings clear on Lionel Messi's greatness, describing the Argentina captain as a once-in-a-generation talent and insisting that football may never produce another player like him.
{{/usCountry}}
"I don’t believe we will get another Messi, because he’s special," Ibrahimovic said. "He’s natural. It’s like the game was built for him. Everything he touches becomes gold. And he has a team that is ready to die for him. Him winning another World Cup will not change his status as the greatest. It’s just another trophy in the trophy room."
After watching Messi deliver a record-breaking hat-trick against Algeria, Ibrahimovic's admiration only grew stronger. The former Sweden striker said Messi lived up to the expectations and reminded everyone why he remains one of football's biggest attractions.
{{^htLoading}} {{/htLoading}}
"I said it, watch and enjoy and that’s what we did. Today was a day full of stars and they delivered," Ibrahimovic said on Fox Sports.
Aditya Maheshwari is a Chief Content Producer and sports journalist with over seven years of experience covering the sports beat across formats and platforms. A cricket-first reporter by profession, he also follows football closely and considers it an integral part of his sporting journey. His work is shaped by a strong on-ground understanding of the game and an ability to translate match-day moments into clear, engaging stories that connect with readers across digital audiences. Over the years, he has developed a balanced approach that combines factual accuracy with narrative clarity, ensuring that both breaking developments and deeper insights are presented with context. Aditya has reported from the field at several major tournaments, including the ICC Cricket World Cup, the Indian Premier League, and the Indian Super League. First-hand coverage of these events has strengthened his ability to read the pulse of high-pressure contests, whether through live reporting, post-match analysis, or long-form storytelling. Working closely around teams, venues, and evolving storylines has helped him develop a strong sense of timing and editorial judgment. While cricket remains his primary focus, Aditya regularly reports on football and keeps a close watch on other sports such as tennis, hockey, and badminton. His wide-ranging interest allows him to approach stories with broader perspective, understanding how different sporting ecosystems function and evolve. Comfortable in fast-paced digital newsrooms, Aditya is well-versed in modern sports coverage, from live blogs and real-time updates to in-depth analysis and audience-focused storytelling. He believes in keeping sports writing simple, accurate, and grounded, with emphasis on clarity over complexity. At the core of his work lies a commitment to credible reporting and telling stories that go beyond the numbers on the scoreboard, highlighting the people, preparation, and pressure behind every performance.
Stay updated with the latest sports news, including latest headlines and updates from the Durand Cup Final Live. Catch all the action from tennis Grand Slam tournaments, follow your favourite football teams and players with the latest match results, and get the latest on international hockey tournaments and series.
Stay updated with the latest sports news, including latest headlines and updates from the Durand Cup Final Live. Catch all the action from tennis Grand Slam tournaments, follow your favourite football teams and players with the latest match results, and get the latest on international hockey tournaments and series.
Home/Sports/Football/'Lionel Messi reminded us why he is who he is': Henry, Ibrahimovic left gobsmacked by Argentina captain's masterclass
{{^htLoading}}
Advertisement
{{/htLoading}}
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
{{#usCountry}}{{/usCountry}}
Hindustantimes wants to start sending you push notifications. Click allow to subscribe
