Lionel Messi hinted at the possibility of his final games for Argentina after achieving his 10th international hat trick, raising his career tally to an impressive 112 goals. His remarkable performance, which included two assists, propelled Argentina to a commanding 6-0 victory over Bolivia in a World Cup qualifier on Tuesday.
Following a brief absence from the October qualifiers due to a right ankle injury sustained during the Copa América, Messi returned to the pitch and played the full match in front of enthusiastic supporters at Estadio Monumental. The crowd erupted in cheers as he netted the opening goal in the 19th minute, showcasing his enduring impact on the game.
Expressing his joy, Messi stated, “We enjoyed this, we are happy to be here playing in Argentina.” However, he remained noncommittal about his future, stating, “This could be one of the last matches in front of the Argentinian crowd,” leaving fans to ponder his potential retirement from international play.
His first goal was a product of a defensive error by Bolivia, allowing Messi to capitalize and finish without opposition in front of goalkeeper Billy Viscarra. He later assisted Lautaro Martínez for a goal in the 43rd minute and set up Julián Álvarez, who scored during first-half stoppage time.
Messi’s scoring spree continued as he netted two more goals in quick succession during the 84th and 86th minutes. At 37 years old, he stands second on the all-time international scoring list, trailing only Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, who has 133 goals.
