Messi on Fire: Argentine Great Moves Level with Kroos in International Hat-Trick Count
Lionel Messi is on fire, and his name is on everyone’s lips! The 37-year-old Inter Miami forward scored an incredible hat-trick as Argentina thrashed Bolivia 6-0 in their 2026 World Cup qualifying match. This was Messi’s 10th international hat-trick, drawing him level with Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo for the most hat-tricks in men’s international football.
The win sent Argentina three points clear of Colombia at the top of the South American qualifying group. This dominant display was a huge boost to their confidence, especially after a disappointing loss to Colombia in September and a draw with Venezuela last week.
So, what’s behind Messi’s incredible form? The Argentine superstar attributes it to the love and support of the Argentine crowd. "It’s really nice to come here, to feel the affection of the people. It moves me how they shout my name," he said. This explains why he’s so comfortable and motivated to perform at his best. "As long as I feel good and can keep performing the way I want, I’ll keep enjoying it," he added.
Messi made his mark early, capitalizing on a defensive error to put Argentina ahead after just 19 minutes. He then set up Lautaro Martinez and Julian Alvarez before substituting Thiago Almada made it 4-0. Two late goals from Messi would seal the deal, with his second goal being a cracker, beating two defenders to find the bottom corner. He completed his hat-trick with a clinical finish, making him the joint-second leading scorer in men’s international football, alongside Portugal’s Toni Kroos.
In 189 games for Argentina, Messi has scored an impressive 112 goals. While Cristiano Ronaldo’s 133 goals remain the benchmark, Messi’s achievements are nothing to sneeze at. He’s still got it, and his incredible form has Argentina dreaming of more silverware in the 2026 World Cup.
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