Lionel Messi registered a hat-trick in Argentina’s 3-0 win over Bolivia on Thursday, September 9, to become South America’s top goalscorer in men’s international football.
The hat-trick took Messi’s international goals tally to 79 goals in 153 games, surpassing Brazilian legend Pele’s 77 goals in 91 games.
Lionel Messi drew level with Pele’s record after giving the Argentines the lead in the 14th minute. Messi surpassed Pele’s record after netting his second and third goals in the 64th and 88th minute respectively.
Lionel Messi was in tears after the match as he led Argentina to celebrate their July Copa America victory in front of the 21,000 supporters who had gathered at the El Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires.
In July, Argentina defeated Brazil by 1-0 to lift the Copa America (Messi’s first for his country). However, due to the corona virus, the game was played behind closed doors.