Lionel Messi turned in one other classic efficiency for Argentina, scoring three targets and including two assists in a runaway win over Bolivia in South American World Cup qualifying on Tuesday evening.
After the sport, a 6-0 win for Argentina in entrance of a raucous crowd on the Monumental de Nuñez Stadium, the 2022 World Cup winner stated he’s attempting to savor each second with the nationwide group and acknowledged the top of his taking part in days is close to.
“It is rather good to play right here feeling the love of the Argentina followers,” Messi stated after the sport. “It makes me emotional to pay attention how they shout my identify. All of us take pleasure in this reference to the followers and we love taking part in at dwelling.”
When requested about his future and whether or not he’d assist Argentina defend their title on the 2026 World Cup, Messi was cautious and trustworthy together with his reply.
“I did not set any date or deadline about my future,” Messi stated. “I am simply having fun with all this. I’m extra emotional than ever and taking all of the love from the individuals as a result of I do know these may be my final video games.”
The famous person, who missed the 2 rounds of the competitors in September due to a proper ankle damage, performed from begin to end Tuesday and added to his private historical past e book within the course of. It was the primary time Messi recorded a number of targets and assists in a single recreation for the nationwide group, and the hat trick — taking him to 112 worldwide targets — was his tenth, tying him with Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo for profession video games with a hat trick.
Messi’s first aim got here after a mistake by a Bolivian defender, who missed a cross and allowed the 37-year-old Messi to run freely and end unchallenged in entrance of goalkeeper Billy Viscarra. Messi assisted on Lautaro Martínez‘s aim within the 42th minute and gave a decisive cross as soon as once more in added time on a aim by Julián Álvarez.
Argentina appeared to gradual its tempo after the break however scored once more by way of Thiago Almada within the 69th minute. The striker scored from shut vary after a low cross by Nahuel Molina.
Messi’s present had two nice ending touches from the sting of the field, the primary within the 84th and the second within the 86th minute, and the enjoyment was obvious on the 37-year-old’s face as he celebrated with teammates.
“It is a pleasure to be current and admire this second. Being surrounded by youthful teammates, given my age, makes me really feel like a child once more,” Messi stated. “I discover myself doing foolish issues as a result of I really feel so comfy. So long as I keep that feeling and may proceed contributing to the group, I plan to be right here having fun with [the national team].”
Argentina supervisor Lionel Scaloni shared within the pleasure of watching his group’s famous person and reiterated what he has stated all alongside when requested about how lengthy Messi would proceed to play with the nationwide group.
“The one factor I ask of him is to maintain taking part in so long as he can,” Scaloni stated. “It is a pleasure to observe him on the soccer subject. He by no means ceases to amaze us.”
The outcome saved the World Cup champions as leaders of the round-robin competitors with 22 factors after 10 matches, three factors away from second-place Colombia, who earlier beat Chile 4-0. Uruguay is in third place with 16 factors after a goalless draw with Ecuador.
Two extra rounds of South American World Cup qualifying will likely be performed in November.
The 2026 World Cup would be the first expanded model of the match, with 48 groups competing in the USA, Canada and Mexico for the sport’s largest trophy.
Data from The Related Press was used on this story.