Buenos Aires: After scoring his 10th international hat-trick for Argentina on Tuesday night in a 6-0 thrashing over Bolivia in the South American qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Lionel Messi said that he feels like a child whenever he plays for the national team, adding that he has not set a deadline regarding his future.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner recorded two assists in addition to his hat-trick in the CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifying win over Bolivia.
“It’s great to come here and feel the affection of the people. I’m moved by the way they shout my name. We all enjoy the connection with the people, and we love playing in Argentina. We’re happy about the win,” said Messi after the game.
“I haven’t set a date or deadline regarding my future, I just want to enjoy it all. I’m more excited than ever to be here and feel the affection of the people because I know that these could be the last games. I hope I achieve my goals to end the year well at the club and then enjoy each day step by step,” he added.
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At 37, Messi has added another feather to his cap by becoming Argentina’s all-time leading scorer with 112 goals in 189 matches. This milestone, achieved in the game against Bolivia, is a testament to his enduring talent and dedication to the sport. His first goal in the senior team was in a friendly against Croatia in the Swiss city of Basel on March 1, 2006, marking the beginning of a legendary career.
More than half of his goals for the national team were official (34 in World Cup qualification, 17 in Copa América and 13 in the World Cup) and Argentina was the country where he scored the most goals (34), according to Argentina football website.
“This is what motivates me. Enjoying being happy where I am. Despite my age, when I’m here, I feel like a kid because I feel comfortable with this team. As long as I feel good and can continue to perform as I intend, we’ll continue to enjoy it,” said the Argentine captain.
The Persona
Messi was born on June 24, 1987, and is regarded as one of the greatest players ever.
He is the most decorated player in the history of professional football, having won 45 team trophies. He has also set numerous records for individual accolades won throughout his career, including eight Ballon d’Or awards. FIFA named him the world’s best player eight times.
Born in Rosario, Argentina, Messi relocated to Spain to join Barcelona (club) at age 13 and made his competitive debut at age 17 in October 2004. Within the next three years, he established himself as a key player for the club, and in his first unbroken season, 2008-09, he helped Barcelona achieve the first treble in Spanish football; that year, at the age of 22, Messi won the first of his four consecutive Ballons d’Or, becoming the first player to win it four times.
Messi has represented Adidas since 2006. According to France Football, he was the world’s highest-paid footballer for five of the six years between 2009 and 2014, while Forbes named him the world’s highest-paid athlete in 2019 and 2022. Messi was named one of Time’s 100 most influential people in 2011, 2012, and 2023. He was named the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year in 2020 and 2023, becoming the first athlete from a team sport to win.
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–IANS & Media Reports
Photo Credit: Argentina Football website
