Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates after scoring a goal against Curacao during their international friendly match at the Madre de Ciudades stadium in Santiago del Estero, Argentina, March 28, 2023. /CFP
With his strike against Curacao on Tuesday, Lionel Messi reached another landmark by scoring more than 100 goals for Argentina.
Messi scored the ninth hat-trick of his international career and led Argentina to a 5-0 victory over Curacao during their international friendly match.
Messi became only the third man to score 100 international goals as he scored the opening goal in the 20th minute. The other two footballers are Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal and Ali Daei of Iran.
He then took that tally to 102 goals before half-time.
Lionel Messi of Argentina stands next to a statue of himself during a tribute by CONMEBOL to Argentina for their Qatar 2022 World Cup title at CONMEBOL's headquarters in Luque, Paraguay, March 27, 2023. /CFP
Last year, Messi led Argentina to World Cup victory and a statue of the Argentine football forward will stand alongside those of his predecessor and Brazil great Pele at the South American federation's museum.
Messi, holding a replica of the World Cup trophy, stood beside the life-size statue at an unveiling ceremony at the South American Football Federation (CONMEBOL) headquarters in Luque, Paraguay.
The 35-year-old emulated the late Maradona by leading Argentina to their first World Cup triumph in 36 years in Qatar in December, 2022.
"I had never dreamed or thought about this," Messi said. "My dream was to enjoy what I liked when I was little, to be a professional soccer player, to do what I always loved in this life. I had a very long road, many decisions and defeats, but I always looked ahead and wanted to go for a triumph, for a victory."
"I think that is the most important thing, to fight for your dreams, that everything is possible and to enjoy the game, which is the most beautiful thing there is," he added.
The Argentina players and coach Lionel Scaloni also received miniature trophies of the World Cup and the Copa America, which they won in 2021.
The Argentine Football Federation renamed the national team's training facility after Messi scored his 800th career goal in a 2-0 friendly win over Panama on March 24, 2023.
(With input from Reuters)