Former Nigeria Super Eagles captain and manager Sunday Oliseh has described Lionel Messi as "Lionel Messi AI" following the Argentine legend's hat-trick against Algeria at the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Speaking on his show Global Football Insights with Oliseh, the former midfielder said no player in football history has performed at Messi's level at 38 years of age.

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

The oracle rebranded

Oliseh revealed that a childhood friend had referred to Messi as "the oracle" for 15 years, but the Argentina captain's display against Algeria has prompted him to adopt a new label entirely.

"A childhood friend of mine has consistently referred to Messi as the oracle for the past 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 explained.

The former Super Eagles boss was particularly struck by the technique behind Messi's third goal, praising the precision and movement that, in his view, go far beyond ordinary human ability on the pitch.

"The way he struck the ball for the third goal — the precision, the movement. And Messi does not merely score tap-in goals," Oliseh added.

Chasing Klose's record

The hat-trick against Algeria lifted Messi to 16 World Cup goals in total, drawing him level with Miroslav Klose's all-time World Cup scoring record — a remarkable milestone for a player competing at his fifth or later World Cup edition.