- Argentina forward and captain Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick in a friendly match on Tuesday, March 28 2023
- The hat trick meant Messi crossed the 100-goal mark for his nation
- SportsLeo takes a look at Messi’s five best international goals for Argentina
Lionel Messi passed the 100-goal milestone for Argentina with his strike against Curacao on Tuesday.
The 35-year-old celebrated in style, receiving a pass from Giovani Lo Celso in the 20th minute before jinking past two Curacao players and rifling in a low right-foot finish.
Many consider him to be the best footballer of all time, but his international performances have been criticized over the years.
That was until he led Argentina to Copa America glory in 2021, followed by a World Cup triumph in which he starred as La Albiceleste recovered from a shock opening defeat to Saudi Arabia to overcome defending champions France on penalties.
Of course, his goal total has been astounding, with only Cristiano Ronaldo and Ali Daei netting more in international men’s football.
SportsLeo, on the other hand, singled out five notable individual strikes.
Argentina forward and captain celebrates after scoring against Curacao in a friendly match on Tuesday, March 28 2023. This was his 100th goal for Argentina. | PHOTO: Daily Sun |
Argentina v Mexico – July 11 2007
Having only just turned 20, Messi was anticipated to win the Copa America for his country in 2007.
Argentina were eventually defeated in the final by Brazil, but not before Messi graced the stage with a sumptuous lob in their 3-0 semi-final victory over Mexico, being fed on the right of the penalty spot before an outrageous lob over Oswaldo Sanchez into the far corner.
Argentina v Brazil – June 9 2012
The two great rivals squared off in New Jersey as they prepared for the 2012 Olympic Games in London, and Messi had already scored twice.
With the score tied at 3-3 in the 84th minute, Messi went as trademark as possible, scooping up the ball on the right just into Brazil’s half before dribbling for a goal. On the edge of the box, he cut inside the closest defender and curled a shot into the top-left corner of the goal.
Argentina v Paraguay – September 7 2012
Just a few months later, Messi was at it from distance again, this time even further out as he showed off his supreme free-kick-taking ability.
With Argentina leading Paraguay 2-1 in their World Cup qualifier, Messi lined up a set-piece effort a little over 30 yards out, whipping the ball over the wall and in off the goalkeeper’s left-hand post.
Argentina v Iran – June 21 2014
Argentina had struggled to break down a resolute Iran side in their second group game of the 2014 World Cup, and were on the verge of earning a famous 0-0 draw and a valuable point.
That is until Messi took up the ball on the right in the 91st minute of the game in Belo Horizonte. He darted inside, as he frequently does, and curled a sumptuous attempt past Alireza Haghighi from 25 yards out, the ball nestled in the bottom-left corner.
Argentina v Mexico – November 26 2022
Argentina, which had already fallen to Saudi Arabia in their first game at the 2022 World Cup, could not get past Mexico in the first hour of their second meeting.
Or, at least, they couldn’t until their captain moved forward.
With raucous fans cheering them on at Lusail Stadium, Messi received a pass from Angel Di Maria before hitting a low and hard shot from outside the box to Guillermo Ochoa’s left, lighting the touchpaper that would eventually finish with the trophy in his hands at the conclusion of the season.
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