Football
Lionel Messi Nets Stunning Treble For Argentina To Equal Cristiano Ronaldo Hat-Trick Record
Cai is a news and features writer that specialises in football, but has experience covering a variety of other sports, including darts, basketball, American football, MMA, boxing and more. He holds a degree in Football Journalism (BA Hons) from the University of Derby, and worked with Nottingham Forest FC and Burton Albion FC throughout his studies. Cai also has experience working in social media with the Football Association of Wales, where he worked on a freelance basis, and has also been an accredited writer in the JD Cymru Premier for both Y Clwb Pêl-Droed and welshfootie since the 2019/20 season.
Get to know Cai Parry betterPublished4 hours ago on October 16, 2024
Lionel Messi rolled back the years with a stunning hat-trick for Argentina in their 6-0 win over Bolivia in World Cup qualifying on Tuesday evening, moving him level with Cristiano Ronaldo for the most international hat-tricks.
Argentina bounced back from their 2-1 defeat to Colombia and their 1-1 draw with Venezuela in emphatic fashion on Tuesday, as the South American World Cup qualifying group leaders thrashed Bolivia 6-0 at Estadio Mâs Monumental.
Unsurprisingly, legendary forward Lionel Messi was right amongst the goals. The 37-year-old contributed to five of his side’s six goals, netting a hat-trick whilst also providing two assists during the rout.
The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain man, who was playing in just his second international match since suffering an injury in July’s Copa America final, moves level with Cristiano Ronaldo for the most hat-tricks in men’s international football with 10.
Messi netted his first of the evening to put Argentina 1-0 up after 19 minutes, capitalising on a defensive error to slide home the opener under Guillermo Viscarra at his near-post.
He followed that up with assists for Lautaro Martinez and Julian Alvarez’s goals just before half-time, as the reigning World Cup winners took a three-goal lead into the break.
Second-half substitute Thiago Almada made it 4-0 for Argentina in the 69th minute, before Messi completed his hat-trick with two goals in two minutes late on, with both strikes similarly coming from just inside the area.
Messi’s three-goal feat sees his international goal tally reach a lofty 112 in 189 appearances, the second-most international goals scored by a single player at senior level in the history of the men’s game.
WATCH: Lionel Messi Hat-Trick In Argentina 6-0 Bolivia
If you slept through the night, you missed a magical Messi night at the Monumental 🔥
Catch up with a look at his hat-trick for Argentina in their 6-0 win over Bolivia 🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/rSDxndsB2A
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) October 16, 2024
Speaking to members of the media following the full-time whistle, Messi said: “It’s really nice to come here, to feel the affection of the people. It moves me how they shout my name.
“This drives me – enjoying being happy where I am. Despite my age, when I’m here, I feel like a kid because I’m comfortable with this team. As long as I feel good and can keep performing the way I want, I’ll keep enjoying it.”
The Inter Miami star returns to MLS Eastern Conference action with a home clash against New England Revolution on Saturday as his side look to extend their lead at the top of the table.