Lionel Messi has broken the South American men’s goals record held by Pele, after neeting his 79th international goal on Thursday night.
Messi scored a sublime hat-trick in Argentina’s World Cup qualifying 3-0 win over Bolivia in Buenos Aires.
It puts him two more goals ahead of the legendary Brazilian.
Only Brazilian stars Marta (109) and Cristiane (96) have scored more overall international goals than Messi.
“I really wanted to be able to enjoy it,” Messi said after the match.
“I waited a long time for this, I looked for it and I dreamedof it. It’s a unique moment for the way it happened after so much waiting.
“There was no better way to celebrate this than to be here. My mother, my brothers are in the stands… They suffered a lot and today, they are here celebrating. I’m very happy.”
