Lionel Messi achieved career first in Algeria win thanks to his childhood idol

Lionel Messi is more than accustomed to enjoying career firsts in games against Algeria that are played in the home nation of his club.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner became the first player in World Cup history to play in six editions of the tournament this week.

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Argentina kicked off their defence of the Jules Rimet trophy against Algeria at the Kansas City Stadium in Messi’s adopted home of the US.

The two countries have only met once before – a friendly in June 2007 that still holds deep significance for La Albiceleste’s captain.

The game came 12 months after Messi’s first appearance at the World Cup and was staged at his then-home at Barcelona’s Nou Camp.

Messi’s career first vs Algeria

Argentina’s now-record goalscorer had found the net just twice for his country when he started for Alfio Basile against Algeria.

However, then 19-year-old Messi duly doubled his international goal tally with his first senior brace for Argentina in a 4-3 triumph.

The reigning World Cup champions led the encounter inside two minutes when ex-Premier League star Carlos Tevez scored a penalty.

Yet Algeria sprung a shock when a first-half fightback put them ahead at half-time, though Anthar Yahia and Majid Bougherra.

Messi spearheaded the Argentina comeback, rattling the post six minutes after the restart before he earned his side another penalty.

This time, the 38-year-old stepped up for the first time in his senior career to find the back of the net from a spot-kick.

AFP

AFP

Esteban Cambiasso put Argentina back in front before Messi put the icing on the cake with his first international brace in the 74th minute.

The Inter Miami talisman exchanged passes with his childhood idol, Pablo Aimar, who had come off the bench, and scored his second.

A Nadir Belhadj free-kick ensured a grandstand finish, but Argentina held on for the win in the build-up to the 2007 Copa America.

The captain that day, Roberto Ayala, also enjoyed a historic milestone by surpassing Diego Maradona’s 57 games as Argentine skipper.

Two decades on, and Messi has shattered both feats, ahead of his record-extending 20th World Cup game as an international captain.

The current holders are now hoping to become the third team to go back-to-back after Italy (1934-1938) and Brazil (1958-1962).

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But the road to New Jersey all starts matchday one, with Messi dominating the pre-match headlines as usual.

Argentina fans at his first meeting with Algeria told the future most decorated player in football history, when he was just a teenager, that they’d die to see him if he played in heaven.

Considering Messi is now walking into the Algerian reunion as World Cup champion, it appears Belinda Carlisle was right all along…

Heaven really is a place on earth!