BUENOS AIRES - Lionel Messi scored his 10th international hat-trick and had a hand in two more goals as Argentina thrashed Bolivia 6-0 in South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup in front of an adoring home crowd at the Monumental stadium on Tuesday.
Making only his second international appearance since recovering from an injury sustained at the Copa America in July, Messi capitalized on a mistake by defender Marcelo Suarez to open the scoring in the 19th minute.
Bolivia goalkeeper Guillermo Viscarra made a couple of fine saves to prevent the hosts from extending their lead but he was beaten in the 43rd minute when Lautaro Martinez scored from Messi's quick cross.
Argentina made it 3-0 just before the break, with Messi setting up Julian Alvarez to score.
Lionel Scaloni's side controlled the second half and looked like they had extended their lead through Nicolas Otamendi, only to see the goal disallowed for offside.
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Substitute Thiago Almada did make it 4-0, however, scoring from Nahuel Molina's pass in the 70th minute with the venue transformed into an Argentine party.
Argentina are top of the standings with 22 points, having returned to winning ways after losing to Colombia last month and drawing with Venezuela last week.
Messi, 37, gave fans more reason to celebrate in the closing moments, beating two Bolivia defenders before unleashing a fierce shot past Viscarra to score his second.
Messi needed only two more minutes to complete the hat-trick, joining Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo with the most in men's internationals, the Argentine skipper scoring with a left-footed drive to take his tally to 112 goals for his country.
After the match, Messi said he had not set a "date or deadline" for his retirement.
"It's very nice to come here, to feel the affection of the people, it's exciting when they shout my name," Messi said. "We all enjoy this period that we're experiencing and the connection with the people. We love being here, playing in Argentina with all these people, and happy about all that and about the win too."
When asked how much longer he intended to play, Messi replied: "The truth is that I haven't set a date or deadline, I just want to enjoy all of this. I'm excited to be here and feel the affection of the people because I know that these could be the last games.
"This drives me. Enjoying being happy where I am. Despite my age, when I'm here, I feel like a kid because I'm comfortable with this team. As long as I feel good and can keep performing the way I want, I'll keep enjoying it."
Argentina manager Scaloni revealed that he had urged Messi to continue playing for as long as possible.
"At one point (during Tuesday's game) I sat down next to (assistant coach) Pablo Aimar and I told him, 'This is wonderful'. I'm enjoying this, being able to sit on this substitutes' bench and see the things he does and his team supporting him.
"He (Messi) never ceases to surprise us. Let him play until he can't go on any longer, that's the only thing I ask of him because it's a pleasure to see him and have him on a football pitch."
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The 2026 World Cup will be hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.
With Xinhua inputs
