Lionel Messi once again showcased his extraordinary talent, scoring his 10th hat-trick for Argentina during a commanding 6-0 victory against Bolivia in World Cup qualifying. This triumph raised Messi’s remarkable tally to 112 goals for his country, putting him just behind Cristiano Ronaldo, who leads with 133 international goals. The match took place at the Estadio Monumental, where passionate fans chanted Messi's name as he opened the scoring in the 19th minute. He later sealed his hat-trick with goals in the 84th and 86th minutes, further cementing his legacy in international football.

At 37, Messi is keenly aware that his time on the pitch may be drawing to a close. When asked about his future and the possibility of participating in the 2026 World Cup, he remained noncommittal. “I didn’t set any date or deadline about my future,” Messi said. “I’m just enjoying all this... these can be my last games.” His emotional connection to the sport is evident, and he credits his younger teammates for helping him rediscover the joy of football. “Being surrounded by younger teammates makes me feel like a kid again,” he noted, expressing his desire to contribute to the team as long as he can.

Argentina's coach, Lionel Scaloni, echoed this sentiment, hoping that Messi’s international career continues for as long as possible. Scaloni remarked on the wonder of watching Messi perform, stating, “To be able to be on the bench and see the things he does? It’s wonderful.”

Meanwhile, Brazil managed to relieve some pressure on their coach Dorival Júnior with a solid 4-0 win against Peru, keeping them in contention as the qualifying rounds progress. Argentina leads the South American qualifying standings with 22 points, closely followed by Colombia with 19. As the competition heats up, the top six teams will secure automatic spots for the expanded 2026 World Cup, heightening the stakes for all involved.