LIONEL MESSI will never lose it.
The 37-year-old bagged a stunning hat-trick and provided TWO assists as Argentina thrashed Bolivia 6-0 in World Cup qualifying.
Lionel Andrés Messi vs Bolivia. Eliminatorias.
— 𝙅𝘿 (@JuannDis) October 16, 2024
pic.twitter.com/KlyqKYpuqR
RexLionel Messi scored THREE and provided two assists against Bolivia in Argentina[/caption]
It was revealed earlier this year that Messi’s goal celebration is dedicated to his late grandmother
It was the football icon’s 10th international hat-trick.
With that, Messi moved level with Cristiano Ronaldo for the most hat-tricks in men’s international football.
The former Barcelona star 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’s sensational performance saw his career goal count shoot up to 846 – meaning he’s 59 behind stat rival Ronaldo.
Messi has now scored 112 goals in 189 games for his country – only second to Ronaldo who has 133 in 216 appearances for Portugal.
And his assists tally now sits at 377, with 57 of them coming in an Argentina shirt.
RexMessi put Argentina 1-0 up inside 19 minutes on Tuesday night[/caption]
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner then scored Argentina’s fifth in the 84th minute
GettyBefore striking again two minutes later[/caption]
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Messi, making only his second appearance for Argentina since suffering an injury at the Copa America in July, capitalised on a defensive error to put them ahead after 19 minutes.
He set up Lautaro Martinez and then Julian Alvarez before substitute Thiago Almada made it 4-0.
Messi struck twice in two minutes late on, beating two defenders to fire in his second and completing his hat-trick by finding the bottom corner.
And fans were in a frenzy after his hat-trick, with one writing: “Is he 20 again?”
A second wrote: “He’s absolutely insane. Still the best player in the world.”
A third said: “He played like he was 27 again tonight. He’s the GOAT.”
One more replied: “The touch is still there, everything else still intact. Just bump up his pace a bit and you have 24-year-old Messi again .”
Another added: “It’s not crazy to say that Messi and this Argentina team could win the World Cup again!”
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner achieved his greatest feat when Argentina won the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
Argentina are three points clear of Colombia at the top of the South American qualifying group for the 2026 World Cup, despite losing to Colombia in September and drawing with Venezuela last week.
Meanwhile, Ronaldo threw a tantrum during Portugal’s 0-0 draw with Scotland at Hampden Park.
His huff at Hampden was prompted by the officials’ decision to blow for full-time rather than a corner at the end of the match.
He took home the match ball after scoring his 10th international hat-trick
A flag of Diego Maradona and Messi was displayed during the match
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