Argentina captain and icon Lionel Messi on Thursday night
became the top male international goalscorer, overtaking Brazil legend Pele.
Messi scored a hat-trick to give Argentina a 3-0 win over Bolivia in a World
Cup qualifier. Messi's international goal tally now stands at 79, two more than
Pele. Pele - three-time World Cup winner with Brazil is currently in hospital
due to surgery for a tumor on his colon.
It was the first time Argentina fans were allowed to watch
their national team since the start of the pandemic. There were 21,000 fans in
attendance at the Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires. Messi scored his first
goal 14 minutes into the game - he moved the ball between a Bolivian defender's
legs and shot from outside the box to the right of goalkeeper Carlos Lampe.
Hi second came in the 64th minute after he worked a one-two
with Lautaro Martinez and displayed superb footwork in a packed penalty box. He
completed his hat-trick in the 88th minute, sending home a rebound from close
range. Messi has now scored seven hat-tricks for Argentina, and 55 in sum.
At the end of the game, Messi lifted the Copa America trophy
in front of the fans, and broke down in tears. “My mum is here, my siblings are
in the stands,” he said. “They have suffered so much and they are here
celebrating. I am very happy.”
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