Lionel Messi joins Cristiano Ronaldo club after stunning performance

Lionel Messi joins Cristiano Ronaldo club after stunning performance

Ifeanyi Ufomadu 07:34 - 29.03.2023

Argentine and global footballing legend, Lionel Messi surpassed 100 career goals for Argentina with a hattrick in the first half of the World Cup champions' 7-0 win over Curacao on Tuesday.

Argentina defeated minnows Curacao 7-0 on Tuesday night in a friendly game that stood out thanks to the remarkable display of ruthlessness in front of goal by the world champions.

Lionel Messi surpasses 100 goals for Argentina

Lionel Messi was at the forefront of the stunning performance, delivering a first-half hattrick to take him past 100 goals for Argentina.

The irrepressible Messi opened the scoring against the Caribbean team in the 20th minute with a right-foot shot from the edge of the box to reach 100 goals for Argentina.

He added his second for the day and 101st for his nation with a cool finish to the right of the goalkeeper and he completed his hattrick with an easy finish after being played through.

Nico Gonzalez and Enzo Fernandez scored to make it 5-0 at half time and the incredible performance continued in the second half with Angel Di Maria and Gonzalo Montiel extending the lead for Argentina.

After this latest milestone, Messi is now behind just two players in overall international goals. Portugal´s Cristiano Ronaldo, with 122, and Iran´s Ali Daei, with 109. He is also the first South American male player to score 100 international goals.

Lionel Messi's goals for Argentina

In terms of the numbers, 46 of Messi's goals have come in international friendlies. The PSG star has also been efficient in competitive games with 28 goals scored in World Cup qualifiers. 

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The former Barcelona man has also scored 13 times in Copa America and he is the highest goalscorer for Argentina at World Cup competitions, with 13 goals in 26 matches.

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