Lionel Messi became South America’s leading men’s goalscorer with a hat-trick in Argentina’s World Cup qualifier against Bolivia.
Messi started the game one goal behind Brazil legend Pele’s 77 goals and finished it two goals clear on 79 for Argentina.
Surpassing Pele’s tally while scoring a hat-trick would have been special for Messi and he began his masterclass against Bolivia in some style.
Receiving a pass outside the box in the 14th minute, Messi dispatched his marker with a savage nutmeg.
He then fired a beauty into the top corner past the Bolivian keeper who barely moved.
It was the perfect start to the game for Messi and Argentina and heralded the masterclass he would produce for the rest of the game.
Take a look at the goal below:
قووووووووووووووووووووووووووووووووووووووووووووووووووووووووووووووووووووووول الاسطورة ميسي راااااااااااااائع 😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🇦🇷🇦🇷💙💙💙💙 pic.twitter.com/HIETjWiJvc
— عالم ميسي 🐐 (@iiFCB10_) September 9, 2021