Lionel Messi showcased his exceptional skills once more as he led Argentina to a resounding triumph against Bolivia in the South American FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers on Tuesday night.
The maestro dazzled with a hat-trick and outshone with two brilliant assists, solidifying his status as a true football legend.
His stellar performance left fans and critics alike in awe, further cementing his legacy as one of the all-time greats in the realm of international football.
“It is very nice to play here feeling the affection of the Argentina fans”
The 2022 World Cup winner accepted the end of his playing career and stated that he wanted to treasure every minute with the national team after Argentina’s 6-0 victory at the Monumental de Nunez Stadium.
Messi said “It is very nice to play here feeling the affection of the Argentina fans. It makes me emotional to listen how they shout my name. We all enjoy this connection with the fans and we love playing at home,”
The 37-year-old spoke bluntly when questioned about his future and whether he will support Argentina in defending their title at the 2026 World Cup.
Messi replied “I didn’t set any date or deadline about my future. I’m just enjoying all this. I am more emotional than ever and taking all the love from the people because I know these can be my last games,”
“It’s a joy to be present and appreciate this moment”
For Argentina, it was the first time in a long time that Messi recorded multiple assists and goals in a single game.
His 10th hat-trick for the national team ties him with Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal for the most career trebles in international football. With 112 goals, the Argentine is second in men’s international football goal scoring.
Messi stated “It’s a joy to be present and appreciate this moment. Being surrounded by younger teammates, given my age, makes me feel like a kid again, I find myself doing silly things because I feel so comfortable. As long as I maintain that feeling and can continue contributing to the team, I plan to be here enjoying [the national team],”
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