Lionel Messi is now a free man. He has been ever since he inspired Argentina to lift their third World Cup four years back in Qatar in 2022, completing the one missing piece of a career that already stood at the summit of football.

Algeria have lodged a complaint about alleged poor refereeing during their 3-0 World Cup defeat by Argentina this week, a source with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters on Friday.

One pass to find him. One drop of the shoulder to leave them grasping at straws. And one touch to burst into space and bend the game to his will. It was all Argentina needed.

Messi netted a spectacular opener from distance in Kansas City, then poked home from close range before completing his first ever World Cup hat-trick to give him a total of 16 goals.

He completed his hat-trick in the 76th minute, sending the massed ranks of Argentine fans in Kansas City wild.

Dhaka engulfed in blue smoke alongside the Bangladeshi flag. Even our four-legged friends are getting into the frenzy. Bound by a unified dream for World Cup glory, global fans have proven that love for Argentina knows absolutely no borders.

Messi is set to take part in a record sixth World Cup, four years after leading his country to glory in Qatar.