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No South American has ever scored more international goals than Lionel Messi
Photo: JUAN IGNACIO RONCORONI / AFP
The Argentine superstar Lionel Messi has overtaken the Brazilian football legend Pelé as the record goal scorer in South America.
Messi scored all three goals in the 3-0 (1-0) World Cup qualifier against Bolivia in Buenos Aires on Thursday, scoring 79 goals in the Albiceleste's shirt.
As a result, the PSG professional overtook Pelé, who scored 77 goals for Brazil's selection, in the international goals.
After his hat trick, Messi cried on the pitch and in front of the television cameras - also because he appeared in front of his own fans in Argentina for the first time since the beginning of the corona pandemic in front of 21,000 spectators in the El Monumental stadium.
“There is no better way to celebrate than to be here.
My mother is here, my siblings in the stands.
They suffered a lot and today they are here celebrating, ”said Messi tearfully.
Retrospective celebration of the Copa triumph
There was not only a personal record to celebrate: In July Messi won the Copa America as captain with Argentina, and only a limited audience was allowed in the final victory over Brazil in Rio de Janeiro.
In Buenos Aires, the Argentines proudly presented the trophy to the fans.
Messi also snatched the record for the most goals for the same club at his long-time club FC Barcelona from the Brazilian legend (643 goals for FC Santos) in December 2020.
The most dangerous national player in history is Cristiano Ronaldo with 111 goals in the jersey of the Portuguese national team.
He is followed by the former Iranian Bundesliga professional Ali Daei and the Malaysian Mokhtar Dahari.
cev / dpa
