Lionel Messi might solely elevate his palms in appreciation as his most adoring followers serenated him with love and admiration.
Messi’s brilliance was on full show in his native Argentina, scoring a hat trick and delivering two assists in a 6-0 rout of Bolivia in a World Cup qualifying match on Tuesday night time.
It was Messi’s first match in Argentina in 334 days, and the beloved World Cup champion left followers at Estadio Mâs Monumental in Buenos Aires with an evening to recollect.
It was a efficiency that leaves little doubt concerning the type he’s in earlier than his MLS Cup playoff run with Inter Miami later this month. It additionally leaves Messi’s legion of followers questioning how for much longer they may take pleasure in his greatness.
“It’s nice to come back right here, to really feel the love of the individuals. I am excited once they shout my identify,” Messi mentioned after the sport. “All of us benefit from the reference to the individuals and we love taking part in in Argentina. We’re pleased with the win.”
Messi scored a aim within the 19th minute and dished his two assists earlier than halftime. His last two targets got here inside two minutes of one another within the 84th and 86th minutes. It’s his first hat trick since he scored three targets for Argentina in a 7-0 win over Curaçao on March 28, 2023.
It was an emphatic efficiency by Messi, the Inter Miami star who has performed in seven matches within the final month in his return from a proper ankle harm within the July 14 Copa America last that sidelined him for two ½ months.
The 37-year-old all-time soccer nice is aware of he solely has restricted alternatives to play in Argentina in his storied profession. Messi is beneath contract with Inter Miami via the top of 2025, and hope will proceed to linger about his likelihood to play in World Cup 2026.
However talks of the following World Cup or retirement will wait for an additional day.
Messi is simply having fun with the second.
“I haven’t set a date or deadline. I simply need to take pleasure in all of this,” Messi mentioned. “I’m extra excited than ever to be right here and really feel the love of the individuals as a result of I do know that these may very well be the final video games.”
Messi stretched out his palms in celebration as the group erupted after he scored within the 19th minute, capitalizing from a steal by teammate Lautaro Martinez to search out the underside proper nook of the web to open the scoring.
Messi later discovered Martinez for a fast cross on his left aspect within the 43rd minute and delivered a cross into the field to Julian Alvarez in further time (45’+3’) for his two assists.
Former Atlanta United standout Thiago Almada additionally scored (70’) for Argentina, which leads the Conmebol World Cup qualifying standings with 22 factors after 10 matches.
Simply earlier than the match went last, Messi stole the present once more with two targets in a two-minute span to cap his memorable efficiency.
Tuesday’s match capped a travel-filled week for Messi with the nationwide workforce. They settled for a 1-1 attract Venezuela final Thursday, after arriving late within the nation from Miami by way of Columbia forward of Hurricane Milton. He’ll return to South Florida on Wednesday and rejoin Inter Miami for the membership’s playoff chase.
Messi and Inter Miami have already clinched the MLS Supporters’ Defend with one of the best file in 2024. They want a win within the season finale Saturday at residence in opposition to New England Revolution to set the MLS file with 74 factors.
Then, Inter Miami’s run within the MLS Cup Playoffs start on Oct. 25 with homefield benefit all through the playoffs.
“That is what drives me. Having fun with being completely happy the place I’m,” Messi mentioned. “Regardless of my age, after I’m right here I appear like a child as a result of I really feel comfy with this workforce. So long as I really feel good and might proceed to carry out as I intend, we’ll proceed to take pleasure in it.”
Try these highlights from the Argentina vs. Bolivia match:
Lionel Messi hat trick: Argentina 6, Bolivia 0
Lionel Messi has a hat trick, scoring for the third time within the 86th minute.
Lionel Messi aim: Argentina 5, Bolivia 0
Lionel Messi has scored once more within the 84th minute, this time together with his proper boot as an alternative of his legendary left boot.
Messi charged into the field, crossed over a defender to his proper foot, and ship his second aim of the match into the web.
Thiago Almada aim: Argentina 4, Bolivia 0
Argentina has prolonged its lead within the second half, with a proper boot from former Atlanta United standout Thiago Almada within the 70th minute.
Messi will get second help on Julian Alvarez aim: Argentina 3, Bolivia 0
We’ve received a rout in Argentina, and Lionel Messi’s brilliance is throughout it.
Messi despatched a cross into the field, and Julian Alvarez scored in further time simply earlier than halftime (45’+3’) to offer Argentina a 3-0 lead over Bolivia.
It’s the second help for Messi, who additionally scored within the nineteenth minute to kick issues off for the World Cup champions.
Messi assists Lautaro Martinez aim: Argentina 2, Bolivia 0
Lionel Messi has already scored. Now, he has an help.
Messi charged towards the web once more, however dropped off a cross to Lautaro Martinez for a aim within the 43rd minute and Argentina’s 2-0 lead over Bolivia simply earlier than halftime.
Whereas Messi clearly had an opportunity to attain once more, he discovered Martinez streaking down his left aspect. And Martinez was impressed to level to Messi as the 2 celebrated the rating.
Martinez was the Copa America Golden Boot winner after main Argentina with 5 targets throughout the event this summer season.
Lionel Messi aim spotlight: Argentina 1, Bolivia 0
Messi capitalized on a unfastened ball after a problem by teammate Lautaro Martínez, and charged his solution to the web. The one particular person in his path was the Bolivian goalie. And Messi made fast work of the chance, discovering the decrease proper nook of the web.
Messi stretched out his palms to the Argentine crowd, having fun with their admiration whereas his teammates ran to rejoice their 1-0 lead over Bolivia.
What time is the Argentina vs. Bolivia match?
It begins at 8 p.m. ET (9 p.m. in Argentina).
The place to observe Argentina vs. Bolivia reside stream?
The match might be broadcast by NBC Universo. Streaming additionally out there on fubo.
Is Messi taking part in tonight?
Sure, Messi is within the beginning lineup for Argentina in opposition to Bolivia.
Argentina vs. Bolivia betting odds
The percentages are stacked in opposition to Bolivia on this one: Argentina is an awesome favourite (-1400), whereas Bolivia is (+2800) to win and a draw is (+1200) after regulation. The over/beneath on targets scored is 3.5, in response to BETMGM.
When was the final time Messi performed in Argentina?
The final time Messi performed for Argentina in his residence nation wasn’t one of the best of outcomes.
Argentina misplaced 2-0 to Uruguay on Nov. 16, 2023, the membership’s first misplaced since falling to Saudi Arabia within the opening match of the Qatar World Cup.
Dropping isn’t an typically prevalence for Argentina, the reigning World Cup and two-time defending Copa America champions: They’ve misplaced simply 4 instances of their final 67 matches they’ve performed.
Messi’s busy week continues with Argentina match
The Argentine nationwide workforce traveled from South Florida to Colombia, then Venezuela earlier than settling for a 1-1 draw in opposition to the Venezuelan nationwide workforce final Thursday.
Argentina had a full apply Monday, after a light-weight session on Sunday, earlier than Tuesday’s match in opposition to Bolivia.
After the Bolivia match, Messi will return to South Florida and Inter Miami apply.
Inter Miami will play its season finale on Saturday in opposition to New England Revolution with an opportunity to clinch 74 factors and the MLS file for factors in a season.
The excellent news for Messi: He’ll have every week earlier than Inter Miami begins the MLS Cup Playoffs on Oct. 25.
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