Lionel Messi Joins Cristiano Ronaldo in 100 International Goals Club
© AP Photo / Hassan Ammar
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World Cup winner Lionel Messi holds numerous records, both in international and club football. The Argentine added another feather to his cap this week.
Argentina skipper Lionel Messi joined his eternal rival Cristiano Ronaldo in an elite group of footballers who have completed a century of goals for their country.
The Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) forward's feat came against Curacao on Tuesday night when he produced a stunning hat-trick to lead Argentina to a spectacular 7-0 victory in Santiago del Estero.
Before Tuesday's encounter with Curacao, Messi had 99 goals to his name in 173 appearances for La Albiceleste. However, the 35-year-old looked in imperious touch against the Dutch Caribbean side, taking his tally to 102 with strikes in the 20th, 33rd, and 37th minute.
La Pulga is now only behind CR7 and Iranian legend Ali Daei as far as international goals are concerned. While the Portuguese superstar sits on top of the list with 122 goals, Daei follows him with 109.
Also, with his triple strikes against Curacao, he became the first South American male player to reach the 100-goal milestone.
Notably, Messi is the first World Cup winner to net 100 goals on the international stage.
Leo Messi honored for reaching 100 goals with Argentina and took the 100th goal ball as a gift. 🐐🇦🇷
— FCB Albiceleste (@FCBAlbiceleste) March 29, 2023
Video🎥 Via @TyCSports pic.twitter.com/yxEqbcSGnt
Messi has been in red-hot form for his national team in recent months.
In November-December, he helped Argentina end their 28-year wait for a World Cup title in Qatar, ending the tournament as the second-leading scorer behind Kylian Mbappe with seven goals.
Last week, the Rosario-born football star netted his 99th goal for Argentina and 800th overall, powering the South American giants to a 2-0 triumph over Panama.
Lauding Messi for his recent performance, Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said the former Barcelona superstar deserved all the praise he was getting from various quarters.
"I hope there will be more (Messi goals), he deserves all the praise and it's good that these goals had been on Argentine soil, that has a special value too," Scaloni said in the post-match press conference.
In November-December, he helped Argentina end their 28-year wait for a World Cup title in Qatar, ending the tournament as the second-leading scorer behind Kylian Mbappe with seven goals.
Last week, the Rosario-born football star netted his 99th goal for Argentina and 800th overall, powering the South American giants to a 2-0 triumph over Panama.
Lauding Messi for his recent performance, Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said the former Barcelona superstar deserved all the praise he was getting from various quarters.
"I hope there will be more (Messi goals), he deserves all the praise and it's good that these goals had been on Argentine soil, that has a special value too," Scaloni said in the post-match press conference.
