Argentina 3-0 Bolivia: Messi Overtakes Pele to be the Top S. American Goalscorer (Video)
Lionel Messi has overtaken Pele as the top South American goalscorer in international matches with a hat-trick in Argentina's World Cup qualifier win against Bolivia on Friday morning.
Gathogo Wanjiru Scoring all the goals in the 3-0 win in Buenos Aires brought Messi's total for Argentina to 79 in 153 games while Brazilian legend Pele finished his career on 77 international goals in 92 games.
Messi's 14th-minute goal from outside the box put him level with Pele and he broke the record in the second half.
The 34-year-old dribbled past a defender for his second goal before completing a hat-trick from a rebound two minutes before full-time.
After the match, the Argentina captain and his teammates celebrated with the Copa America trophy in front of 20,000 fans at the Monumental Stadium.
He led the side to that title, his first major trophy in international football, in July after beating Brazil in the final.
"I dreamed about this day a lot and thanks to God it arrived," Messi wrote on Instagram alongside a picture of the team with the trophy after the match.
"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's 29-year-old Paris St Germain team-mate Neymar has scored 69 goals in 113 appearances for Brazil.
