Lionel Messi scores hattrick in FIFA World Cup 2022 qualifier, goes past Pele to set THIS big record

Portugal talisman Cristiano Ronaldo is the leading international goal-scorer with 111 in 180 matches but Lionel Messi, who recently moved from Barcelona to PSG football club, now has 79 in 155 games to be tied in 5th spot.

Argentina captain Lionel Messi scored a hattrick against Bolivia in the FIFA World Cup 2022 qualifying match at the El Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires on Thursday (September 9). Messi with his three strikes became the top international goal-scorer from South America with 79 goals to his name, going past Brazilian legend Pele’s tally of 77 goals. Portugal talisman Cristiano Ronaldo is the leading international goal-scorer with 111 in 180 matches but Messi, who recently moved from Barcelona to PSG football club, now has 79 in 155 games to be tied in 5th spot with Godfrey Chitalu of Zambia. Messi scored in the 14th, 64th and 88th minute of the game to set up Argentina’s 3-0 win over Bolivia. Hat-trick hero Lionel Messi (79 goals) celebrates the goal that saw him pass Pele (77) for most goals by a South American player in men's international football @Argentina | #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/Y41GU62mGh