Argentine football star Lionel Messi levelled with Cristiano Ronaldo after he scored the 10th hat-trick in his international football career in a match against Bolivia during the FIFA World Cup South American Qualifiers. Argentina thrashed Bolivia by 6-0 at Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires to get at the top of the points table. This was the second time when Messi made an appearance in international football after recovering from an injury sustained during the Copa America in July.
Lionel Messi opened the account for Argentina by scoring the first goal of the match in the 19th minute. The forward successfully capitalized the opportunity when Bolivia's Marcelo Suarez made an error in defense. After that, Lautaro Martnez, Julián Alvarez and Thiago Almada took the scoreline to 4-0 in favour of Argentina. Messi then came with two back-to-back goals in 84th and 86th minute respectively. With this Messi equalled his rival and Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo’s record of 10 international hat-tricks.
It's really nice to come here: Lionel Messi after the match
Lionel Messi returned to his home ground after almost a year. The legendary footballer had a memorable comeback as he not just scored a hat-trick but also took his career goal tally to 850 goals in both club and international football. Messi now also has 112 goals to his name in his international football career. After that match, Messi also expressed his gratitude on coming back to Buenos Aires.
"It's really nice to come here, to feel the affection of the people, it moves me how they shout my name. This drives me. Enjoying being happy where I am. Despite my age, when I'm here, I feel like a kid because I'm comfortable with this team. As long as I feel good and can keep performing the way I want, I'll keep enjoying it,” Messi was quoted as saying by India Today.
