Messi’s 100th goal for Argentina

The friendly match against Curaçao also became a gala for the world champions thanks to Messi’s hat-trick.

Lionel Messi broke the 100-goal mark in the national team’s kit in Argentina’s 7-0 international against the island nation of Curaçao. The friendly match in Santiago del Estero turned into a celebration for the world champions, thanks to a hat-trick from Messi. The 35-year-old scored in a one-sided match in the 20th, 33rd and 37th minutes. The Paris Saint-Germain striker has so far scored 102 goals for Albiceleste.

In the world ranking of the best scorers for national teams, Messi ranks third behind Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo (122 goals) and Iranian Ali Daei (109). Just last week, the superstar scored his 800th competitive goal in a 2-0 win over Panama.

The rest of Argentina’s goals came through Nicholas Gonzalez, Enzo Fernandez, Angel Di Maria and Gonzalo Montiel. The two international matches in front of a home crowd were Argentina’s first matches after winning the World Cup in Qatar at the end of last year. “We will never stop celebrating and I think it’s fair and deserved,” said team president Lionel Scaloni.

(APA)