Lionel Messi broke Pele’s record for most international goals by a South American footballer with a hat-trick in Argentina’s World Cup qualifier win over Bolivia on Thursday night. Messi scored all his country’s goals in the 3-0 defeat of Bolivia in Buenos Aires, giving him 79 for Argentina and taking him past Pele’s haul for Brazil of 77. Leo Messi crying tears of joy after finally celebrating Copa America with Argentinian people. He broke the record by dribbling past a defender for his second in the 64th minute, and added his third from a rebound two minutes from the end. Messi’s Paris St Germain teammate Neymar sits third on the South American list with 68 goals.

Source: Irish Independent September 10, 2021 04:18 UTC