Lionel Messi couldn’t hold back the tears as he got to celebrate his first international trophy with Argentina supporters after a 3-0 World Cup qualifying win over Bolivia.
The PSG forward spearheaded Argentina to their first piece of silverware in 28 years – and his first major international trophy – with their triumph in Copa America in July, defeating Brazil 1-0 in the final.
And he was emotional after the match as the whole crowd chanted his name in what was another record-breaking night for the superstar.
Messi broke Pele’s record for most international goals by a South American football player with a hat-trick in the 3-0 win over Bolivia.
He scored all his country’s goals in the clash, giving him 79 for Argentina and taking him beyond Pele’s haul for 77 for Brazil.
In front of 20,000 supporters at the Monumental Stadium, Messi matched Pele when he scored the opening goal in the 14th minute with a shot from outside the box.
He broke the record by dribbling past a defender for his second goal in the 64th minute, and added a third from a rebound two minutes from the end.
Neymar, Messi’s PSG teammate – currently sits third on the South American list with 68 goals.
“I dreamed about this day a lot and thanks to God it arrived,” Messi posted on Instagram. “I don’t have words to thank you for all the love I’ve received. What a beautiful night, I enjoyed it so much – unforgettable.”
Messi told ESPN that claiming the Copa America trophy was the most difficult, as he went through some hard times before getting to it.
“Everything I won was important and beautiful, but this was the most difficult because I went through many things. It was knock, after knock… I finally had happy holidays from the first day to the last. Before I was bitter and now it was different from start to finish. My children sing Argentina songs all the time, they remember the final against Brazil and for me, it’s spectacular to see how they enjoy that.”
