Lionel Messi notched his 10th hat-trick for Argentina, elevating his career tally for the national team to 112 goals in a commanding 6-0 World Cup qualifying victory over Bolivia on Tuesday.
Messi played the full 90 minutes in front of enthusiastic fans at Estadio Monumental, who serenaded him with chants after he opened the scoring in the 19th minute. He added further goals in the 84th and 86th minutes. Only Cristiano Ronaldo, with 133 international goals, has scored more in men's football than Messi.
However, the 37-year-old acknowledged that his international career is nearing its conclusion when he declined to confirm whether he would participate in the 2026 World Cup. "I haven't set any specific date or deadline for my future," Messi stated. "I'm just savoring every moment. I'm more emotional than ever and soaking in all the love from the fans because I realize these could be my final games."
Messi noted that his younger teammates help him relish football as he approaches 40. "It's a delight to be here and appreciate this time. Being around younger players, given my age, makes me feel young again," Messi said. "I find myself doing playful things because I feel so at ease. As long as I maintain that feeling and can keep contributing to the team, I intend to stay and enjoy [the national team]."
Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni expressed hope that Messi's international career continues for as long as possible. "It never fails to impress," Scaloni told reporters. "At times, I sit down with [assistant coach] Pablo Aimar and tell him how wonderful this is. To be on the bench and witness what he does? The team is fully behind him, and all I ask is for him to play as long as he can."
Elsewhere on Tuesday, Brazil and their embattled coach Dorival Júnior found relief with a convincing 4-0 home win against Peru.
Argentina tops the South American qualifying table with 22 points after 10 matches, three points ahead of second-place Colombia, who defeated Chile 4-0. Uruguay, who earlier drew 0-0 with Ecuador, and Brazil both have 16 points, with Uruguay in third place on goal difference. Ecuador and Paraguay follow with 13 points each, with Ecuador in fifth place on goal difference.
The top six teams secure automatic spots in the 2026 World Cup. The seventh-place team, currently Bolivia, will compete in an international playoff for a place in the expanded 48-team tournament.
