Lionel Messi netted his tenth worldwide hat-trick for the nationwide aspect on Tuesday night time as Argentina routed Bolivia in a 6-0 win within the South American qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Making solely his second worldwide look since recovering from an harm sustained on the Copa America in July, Messi capitalised on a mistake by defender Marcelo Suarez to open the scoring within the nineteenth minute in entrance of an adoring house crowd on the Monumental stadium.
“It’s very nice to come back right here, to really feel the love of the folks, it strikes me how they shout my identify,” the 37-year-old Messi advised after the sport.
‘Retirement not on thoughts’
Messi in motion with Bolivia’s Gabriel Villamil. (REUTERS/Matias Baglietto)
The 2022 FIFA World Cup winner mentioned he has not put a timeline on his worldwide future as he enjoys contributing for the nationwide aspect in a full of life surroundings.
“I haven’t set any date or deadline relating to my future, I simply need to take pleasure in all of this. It strikes me greater than ever to be right here and really feel the love of the folks as a result of I do know these could possibly be my final matches.
In case you guys missed…this is highlights of Lionel Messi vs Bolivia| 3 objectives and a couple of assists🐐pic.twitter.com/62tO3Pcz3s
— SK10 🇵🇸 (@SK10_Football) October 16, 2024
“This drives me. Having fun with being completely satisfied the place I’m. Regardless of my age, once I’m right here, I really feel like a child as a result of I’m comfy with this staff. So long as I really feel good and might preserve performing the way in which I need, we’ll preserve having fun with it,” Messi defined.
The match marked the primary time Messi netted a hat-trick and racked up a number of assists for Argentina. Messi’s tenth hat-trick additionally helped him stage his long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo on the worldwide stage.
Argentina are high of the standings with 22 factors, having returned to profitable methods after shedding to Colombia final month and drawing with Venezuela final week.
– With AP inputs