Lionel Messi surpassed the 100-goal mark with Argentina, scoring three goals in a 7-0 victory over Curaçao in a friendly football match on Tuesday night. The all-time leading scorer for Argentina reached his 100th goal when he opened the scoring with a low shot after 20 minutes.
Messi expressed his joy and optimism when he told a reporter, "We will never stop celebrating, and I believe this is normal and well-deserved." He added, "I hope there are more (goals from Messi), he deserves all the praise, and it's wonderful that these goals came on Argentine soil, making it exceptional."
Nicolás González extended the home team's lead before Messi added his second goal with a stunning shot in the 33rd minute. Two minutes later, Messi assisted his teammate Enzo Fernández for the fourth goal. He completed his hat-trick eight minutes before halftime, bringing his total to 102 goals. Substitute Ángel Di María scored from a penalty in the 78th minute, and Gonzalo Montiel, who scored the decisive penalty against France in the World Cup final, wrapped up the scoring in the 87th minute.
It is worth noting that Messi recently celebrated having his statue placed next to statues of his compatriot and Pelé at the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) museum. A life-sized statue of him holding the World Cup was unveiled at a ceremony at the CONMEBOL headquarters in Paraguay before the draw for the Copa Libertadores last night.
