Lionel Messi says he nonetheless feels “like a child” taking part in for Argentina after scoring a hat-trick in his nation’s 6-0 victory over Bolivia on Tuesday.
The 37-year-old performed a job in 5 of Argentina’s six objectives through the World Cup qualifying win at Estadio Mas Monumental in Buenos Aires, offering two assists along with his hat-trick.
It took Messi’s tally of senior Argentina objectives to 112 — a determine bettered solely by Cristiano Ronaldo’s 133 for Portugal in males’s worldwide soccer.
“It’s very nice to return right here, to really feel the love of the folks,” Messi stated.
“This drives me. (I’m) 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 hold performing the best way I would like, I’ll hold having fun with it.”
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Messi gave Argentina the lead after 19 minutes on Tuesday night, ending low after Lautaro Martinez had capitalised on a defensive slip to win the ball excessive up within the Bolivia half.
The Argentina captain then turned supplier for Martinez because the hosts doubled their benefit on the stroke of half time, squaring the ball to his team-mate and leaving him with an empty internet to roll into.
Argentina added a 3rd in first-half stoppage time by means of Julian Alvarez after the Atletico Madrid ahead had been discovered by a fast Messi free-kick.
Thiago Almada prolonged Argentina’s lead mid-way by means of the second half, earlier than Messi added his facet’s fifth and sixth within the house of three minutes to finish the scoring.
The Inter Miami ahead discovered the underside nook from simply contained in the penalty space within the 84th minute, and accomplished his hat-trick within the 86th with one other low strike after combining with Nico Paz.
The match was simply Messi’s second for Argentina since being compelled off with an ankle harm in July’s Copa America remaining. He returned to membership motion in September and has scored 5 objectives in six Main League Soccer (MLS) appearances since his comeback.
Tuesday’s victory leaves Argentina prime of their World Cup qualifying group with 22 factors from 10 video games.
Messi had stated in 2022 the Qatar World Cup can be his final, however talking forward of the 2024 Copa America he didn’t rule out taking part in on the 2026 match. He can be 38 when the following World Cup, staged in the USA, Mexico and Canada, begins and can flip 39 through the match.
Argentina return to motion in November towards Paraguay.
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(High Photograph: Luis Robayo/AFP through Getty Pictures)
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