World Cup 2026: Oliseh Praises Messi’s Hat‑Trick Heroics Against Algeria in Argentina’s Victory

Former Super Eagles captain and manager Sunday Oliseh praised Lionel Messi’s extraordinary hat‑trick against Algeria in the opening match of the FIFA World Cup 2026, calling the Argentine star “Lionel Messi AI.”

Oliseh highlighted Messi’s flawless precision, movement and football intelligence, saying the player’s performance surpassed ordinary human play.

Oliseh explained that a friend has long dubbed Messi “the oracle,” but after watching the match he now prefers “Lionel Messi AI” because of the player’s almost robotic efficiency on the pitch.

“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 said on Global Football Insights with Oliseh.

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

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

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“Now, you know I have a passion for shooting. 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. But consider it this way,” he said.

Messi’s hat‑trick brought his World Cup goal tally to 16, tying Miroslav Klose’s all‑time record.