The 37-year-old attacker for Inter Miami tied Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo for the most hat-tricks in men’s international football after setting up two goals at Buenos Aires’ Monumental Stadium.
Despite losing to Colombia in September and drawing with Venezuela last week, Argentina leads Colombia by three points at the top of the South American qualifying group for the 2026 World Cup.
“Coming here and feeling the love of the people is truly pleasant. The way they yell my name moves me,” Messi remarked.
I appreciate being content where I am, and that is what motivates me. I feel like a kid here, even though I’m older, because I’m at ease with this team. I’ll continue to enjoy it as long as I’m feeling good and can continue to perform as I want to.
Messi, who is playing for Argentina for just the second time since getting hurt at the Copa America in July, took advantage of a defensive blunder to give them the lead after 19 minutes.
He assisted Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez before Thiago Almada, a replacement, made it 4-0.
Late in the game, Messi scored twice in two minutes. He beat two defenders to score his second goal and found the bottom corner to complete his hat-trick.
