Home Sports Messi Breaks International Goal Record With Hat-trick Against Bolivia
Sports

Messi Breaks International Goal Record With Hat-trick Against Bolivia

Share
Messi Breaks International Goal Record With Hat-trick Against Bolivia | Daily Report Nigeria
Share
Messi Breaks Pele’s Record

Argentine forward, Lionel Messi on Friday scored a hat-trick against Bolivia to overtake Brazilian great, Pele as the highest international goal scorer in South American football history.

Messi-led Argentina cruised to a 3-0 victory over their South American neighbors Bolivia in their 2022 World Cup qualifier.

The PSG forward scored his 77th, 78th, and 79th international goals for Argentina, keeping the Albiceleste in a firm position to qualify for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

ATTENTION: Click HERE to join our WhatsApp group and receive News updates directly on your WhatsApp!

Bolivia on the other hand is languishing near the bottom of the South American qualifying table.

Messi, making his 153rd appearance for Argentina, scored his 77 international goal on the 14th minute to draw level with Pele’s longstanding mark via a curling sublime effort to beat Bolivia goalkeeper Carlos Lampe.

Read Also: Ronaldo Breaks All-time International Goals Record

The former Barcelona forward scored his second goal of the game in the 64th minute to leapfrog Pele from the number one spot as the highest international goal scorer in South America.

Messi scored his third of the night two minutes from time, to complete his seventh international hat-trick to further extend his lead over Pele.

“I’ve waited a long time for this,” an emotional Messi said afterward.
“Now I’m going to enjoy it, it’s a unique moment after waiting so long. I am very happy,” Messi said.

Messi’s rival, Cristiano Ronaldo holds the record for most goals scored in international football with 111 from 180 games.

Ronaldo broke the previous record of 109 goals by Iranian great Ali Daei with two dying minutes goals against Ireland, after missing a penalty in the early part of the game on September 1, 2021.

Share
Written by
Tare Magbei -

With more than five years of covering different topics, Tare Magbei is a versatile journalist.

Leave a comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Articles
Jürgen Klopp Reacts with Pride to Liverpool’s 2025 EPL Glory | Daily Report Nigeria
Sports

Jürgen Klopp Reacts with Pride to Liverpool’s 2025 EPL Glory

Arne Slot leads Liverpool to a historic Premier League title as Klopp...

Lights Out at Madrid Open 2025: Power Outage Forces Match Suspensions and Tournament Delays | Daily Report Nigeria
Sports

Lights Out at Madrid Open 2025: Power Outage Forces Match Suspensions and Tournament Delays

Power outage halts play at Madrid Open 2025, creating suspense on Centre...

Nigeria’s Cyriel Dessers Crowned Rangers' Top Scorer for 2024/25 After Stunning 24 Goals | Daily Report Nigeria
Sports

Nigeria’s Cyriel Dessers Crowned Rangers’ Top Scorer for 2024/25 After Stunning 24 Goals

Cyriel Dessers’ Incredible Rise to Rangers’ Top Scorer in the 2024/25 Season....