Former Super Eagles captain and coach Sunday Oliseh has declared that Lionel Messi’s stunning performance in Argentina’s opening 2026 World Cup match goes beyond normal football, describing the veteran forward as an artificial intelligence version of himself. Oliseh made the remarks after Messi scored a hat-trick in Argentina’s 3-0 victory over Algeria, just days before his 39th birthday.
According to Oliseh, no player in football history has maintained such dominance at age 38. He emphasized that Messi’s feat is not merely about the three goals but the extraordinary way he executed them—demonstrating precision, movement, and a striking ability that defies aging. Oliseh noted that while a childhood friend once called Messi “the oracle,” the Argentine’s latest display demands a new label: Lionel Messi AI.
The hat-trick also allowed Messi to equal Miroslav Klose’s record of 16 World Cup goals, further cementing his legacy. Oliseh highlighted that Messi does not score easy tap-ins; every goal showcases his unique talent. He concluded that what the world witnessed was a performance unmatched in the history of the sport, making the AI comparison entirely fitting.