Lionel Messi could only raise his hands in appreciation as his most adoring fans serenated him with love and admiration.
Messi’s brilliance was on full display 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.
It was Messi’s first match in Argentina in 334 days, and the beloved World Cup champion left fans at Estadio Mâs Monumental in Buenos Aires with a night to remember. They saw Messi’s 10th hat trick with Argentina, and the first game with multiple goals and assists in his national team career. 
It was a performance that leaves no doubt about the form he’s in before his MLS Cup playoff run with Inter Miami later this month. It also leaves Messi’s legion of fans wondering how much longer they will enjoy his greatness.
“It’s great to come here, to feel the affection of the people. I’m excited when they shout my name,” Messi said after the game. “We all enjoy the connection with the people and we love playing in Argentina. We’re happy with the win.”
Messi scored a goal in the 19th minute and dished his two assists before halftime. His final two goals came within two minutes of each other in the 84th and 86th minutes. It’s his first hat trick since he scored three goals for Argentina in a 7-0 win over Curaçao on March 28, 2023.
It was an emphatic performance by Messi, the Inter Miami star who has played in seven matches in the last month in his return from a right ankle injury in the July 14 Copa America final that sidelined him for 2 ½ months.
Messi has 112 goals with Argentina, second place on the all-time list, ahead of Iran’s Ali Daei (108). Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 133 goals for Portugal, including 10 hat tricks.
The 37-year-old all-time soccer great knows he only has limited opportunities to play in Argentina in his storied career. Messi is under contract with Inter Miami through the end of 2025, and hope will continue to linger about his chance to play in World Cup 2026.
But talks of the next World Cup or retirement will wait for another day.
Messi is just enjoying the moment.
“I haven’t set a date or deadline. I just want to enjoy all of this,” Messi said. “I’m more excited than ever to be here and feel the affection of the people because I know that these could be the last games.”
Messi stretched out his hands in celebration as the crowd erupted after he scored in the 19th minute, capitalizing from a steal by teammate Lautaro Martinez to find the bottom right corner of the net to open the scoring.
Messi later found Martinez for a quick pass on his left side in the 43rd minute and delivered a pass into the box to Julian Alvarez in extra time (45’+3’) for his two assists.
Former Atlanta United standout Thiago Almada also scored (70’) for Argentina, which leads the Conmebol World Cup qualifying standings with 22 points after 10 matches.
Just before the match went final, Messi stole the show again with two goals in a two-minute span to cap his memorable performance.
Tuesday’s match capped a travel-filled week for Messi with the national team. They settled for a 1-1 draw in Venezuela last Thursday, after arriving late in the country from Miami via Columbia ahead of Hurricane Milton. He will return to South Florida on Wednesday and rejoin Inter Miami for the club’s playoff chase.
Messi and Inter Miami have already clinched the MLS Supporters’ Shield with the best record in 2024. They need a win in the season finale Saturday at home against New England Revolution to set the MLS record with 74 points.
Then, Inter Miami’s run in the MLS Cup Playoffs begin on Oct. 25 with home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
“This is what drives me. Enjoying being happy where I am,” Messi said. “Despite my age, when I’m here I look like a kid because I feel comfortable with this team. As long as I feel good and can continue to perform as I intend, we’ll continue to enjoy it.”
Check out these highlights from the Argentina vs. Bolivia match:
Lionel Messi has a hat trick, scoring for the third time in the 86th minute.
Lionel Messi has scored again in the 84th minute, this time with his right boot instead of his legendary left boot.
Messi charged into the box, crossed over a defender to his right foot, and send his second goal of the match into the net.
Argentina has extended its lead in the second half, with a right boot from former Atlanta United standout Thiago Almada in the 70th minute.
We’ve got a rout in Argentina, and Lionel Messi’s brilliance is all over it.
Messi sent a pass into the box, and Julian Alvarez scored in extra time just before halftime (45’+3’) to give Argentina a 3-0 lead over Bolivia.
It’s the second assist for Messi, who also scored in the 19th minute to kick things off for the World Cup champions.
Lionel Messi has already scored. Now, he has an assist.
Messi charged toward the net again, but dropped off a pass to Lautaro Martinez for a goal in the 43rd minute and Argentina’s 2-0 lead over Bolivia just before halftime.
While Messi clearly had a chance to score again, he found Martinez streaking down his left side. And Martinez was inspired to point to Messi as the two celebrated the score.
Martinez was the Copa America Golden Boot winner after leading Argentina with five goals during the tournament this summer.
Messi capitalized on a loose ball after a challenge by teammate Lautaro Martínez, and charged his way to the net. The only person in his path was the Bolivian goalie. And Messi made quick work of the opportunity, finding the lower right corner of the net.
Messi stretched out his hands to the Argentine crowd, enjoying their admiration while his teammates ran to celebrate their 1-0 lead over Bolivia.
It begins at 8 p.m. ET (9 p.m. in Argentina).
The match will be broadcast by NBC Universo. Streaming also available on fubo.
Yes, Messi is in the starting lineup for Argentina against Bolivia.
The odds are stacked against Bolivia in this one: Argentina is an overwhelming favorite (-1400), while Bolivia is (+2800) to win and a draw is (+1200) after regulation. The over/under on goals scored is 3.5, according to BETMGM.
The last time Messi played for Argentina in his home country wasn’t the best of outcomes.
Argentina lost 2-0 to Uruguay on Nov. 16, 2023, the club’s first lost since falling to Saudi Arabia in the opening match of the Qatar World Cup.
Losing isn’t an often occurrence for Argentina, the reigning World Cup and two-time defending Copa America champions: They’ve lost just four times in their last 67 matches they’ve played.
The Argentine national team traveled from South Florida to Colombia, then Venezuela before settling for a 1-1 draw against the Venezuelan national team last Thursday.
Argentina had a full practice Monday, after a light session on Sunday, before Tuesday’s match against Bolivia.
After the Bolivia match, Messi will return to South Florida and Inter Miami practice.
Inter Miami will play its season finale on Saturday against New England Revolution with a chance to clinch 74 points and the MLS record for points in a season.
The good news for Messi: He’ll have a week before Inter Miami begins the MLS Cup Playoffs on Oct. 25.
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