Argentinian football icon Lionel Messi took his record-breaking spree to the next level as he matched Cristiano Ronaldo‘s mark with 10 international hat-tricks. This was while Argentina fired on all cylinders to thump Bolivia 6-0 in the South American qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires on October 16, 2024.
Lionel Messi took Argentina to victory with three goals scored and assisting two others, meaning brilliance on the playing field was not lacking. The 37-year-old only appeared for his second game since returning from injury, but he brought the crowd up on their feet in a performance widely regarded as vintage Messi.
Albiceleste would take a 1-0 lead after 19 minutes with Messi making good use of a terrible defensive mistake by Bolivia’s Marcelo Suarez, calmly finding space behind the goalkeeper, Guillermo Viscarra slotting the ball past him. Before halftime, Messi’s creativity allowed Lautaro Martínez to double Argentina’s lead, setting them up for a comprehensive second half.
Argentina led 3-0 at half-time, following Julián Álvarez’s extension of the lead in the run to the break. Messi’s influence continued to be felt, having masterminded attacks against Argentina at times with such poise and aplomb as to play a huge role in two more goals.
Substituted by Thiago Almada, it was his 70th minute to score the fourth goal after laying off Nahuel Molina’s excellent pass. Again, Messi stole the show: he added a second to the score sheet with a dazzling individual effort in which, leaving the Bolivian defense twisted in a knot, he channeled his shot into the net with remarkable accuracy.
To put the finishing touches to the game, Messi sealed his hat-trick with a left-footed classic shot curling the ball to the bottom corner, and the crowd in the Monumental Stadium all went into a frenzy. His 10th international hat-trick made him equal the record set by Ronaldo, thus confirming his position as one of the best the game has ever known.
It doesn’t matter so much with Lionel Messi, with that latest hat-trick making him reach 112 goals in 187 appearances for Argentina, but with a number like Ronaldo’s international goals to close, there comes a certain amount of importance. After all, Messi’s whole career has been shrouded in endless records and achievements, but the mark for hat-tricks in international football only adds weight to this storied rivalry between him and Ronaldo.
To add to this, Messi had just come off a layoff from an ankle injury that he suffered in the final of the Copa America against Colombia this year. The athlete demonstrated remarkable determination and resilience on the field, significantly contributing to Argentina’s victory.
“I experienced considerable nervousness, which was entirely understandable,” Messi remarked, emphasizing that it was not merely nerves but rather a strong desire to participate after a period of absence. Lionel Messi is happy to play again before the audience in Buenos Aires. He enjoys the encounter and still feels their support, which keeps him connected to the game, even now at this stage in his career.
“It’s really nice coming here, feeling the love of the people moves me the way they shout my name,” said Messi. “This drives me. Of course, I’m older nowadays, but when I come here, I feel like a kid because I am comfortable with this team. As long as I feel good and can keep performing the way I want, I’ll keep enjoying it.”
This victory sets Argentina out on a comfortable topside run in CONMEBOL World Cup qualification, with 22 points acquired from their 10 matches thus far. They maintained their three-point lead over second-placed Colombia as they racked up a 4-0 win against Chile. The win versus Bolivia makes Argentina a step closer to qualifying for their 14th straight World Cup.
Albiceleste will next play Paraguay on 14 November hoping to win the remaining World Cup qualifiers. Indeed, Messi at his best guarantees victory to Argentina that may help them go on a winning streak and guarantee a place for themselves in the 2026 World Cup.
A Messi hat-trick on the weekend has, once again, ignited the very ancient question of who is the greatest between him and Cristiano Ronaldo. While these two are smashing records well into their late 30s, the race between them is still being driven by them, each wanting to put in better performances than his counterpart. It is exhilarating to see both players still tied at 10 international hat-tricks each, and truly, it is an open race for the most hat-tricks in international football.
The Messi-Ronaldo clash is a gift to football fans worldwide. Messi continues to defy age with the kind of performances he always puts in, meaning this chapter hasn’t even touched on the midpoint yet. It will be interesting to see how he continues to assemble his trophy cabinet.
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