Lionel Messi achieved a significant milestone for Argentina by scoring a hat-trick in the first half of their 7-0 victory over Curacao on Tuesday, taking his career tally for the national team to 100 goals.
The 35-year-old forward broke the deadlock in the 20th minute of the international friendly, unleashing a powerful right-footed strike from the edge of the penalty area to reach the 100-goal mark.
He then went on to score his 101st goal for Argentina with a precise shot to the right of the goalkeeper, assisted by Nico Gonzalez. Messi’s 102nd goal came easily, after a straightforward run into the box.
Argentina had a commanding 5-0 lead over Curacao at half-time, with goals from Gonzalez and Enzo Fernandez. In the second half, Angel Di Maria and Gonzalo Montiel added to the tally with goals in the 78th and 87th minutes, respectively.
Messi now trails only two male players on the list of most goals scored in official matches for their national teams: Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo with 122 and Iran’s Ali Daei with 109.
He is the first South American male player to reach the 100-goal milestone and the second South American overall after Brazil’s Marta, who has scored 109 goals for her country.