Lionel Messi made a triumphant return to the Argentina national team with a stellar performance in a World Cup qualifier.
The 37-year-old football legend showcased his skills with a hat trick and two assists, leading Argentina to a 6-0 victory over Bolivia.
Despite his outstanding performance, Messi hinted that these games could potentially be his last, as he declined to commit to playing in the 2026 World Cup.
The match took place in Buenos Aires in front of a passionate crowd of around 85,000 fans, who witnessed Messi’s brilliance on the field.
He opened the scoring with a breakaway goal in the 19th minute, setting the tone for the rest of the game.
Throughout the match, Messi also provided assists for his teammates, including a key assist to Lautaro MartÃnez for Argentina’s second goal.
His stellar performance was capped off with two more goals, completing his hat trick and solidifying Argentina’s dominant win.
After the game, Messi expressed his gratitude for the support of the fans and his enjoyment of playing for his national team.
While questions about his future participation in major tournaments lingered, Messi emphasized his focus on cherishing the present moment and enjoying the game.
Argentina is gearing up to defend their World Cup title in 2022, with games scheduled to take place in North America.
As the football world awaits Messi’s next move, fans continue to marvel at his extraordinary talent and contributions to the sport.