Messi overtakes Pele as South America’s top goal scorer

Lionel Messi became the leading South American men’s goalscorer in international matches with a hat-trick in Argentina’s World Cup qualifier 3-0 win against Bolivia, overtaking Brazil legend Pele.

The win in Buenos Aires takes Messi’s total for Argentina to 79 goals in 153 games, against Pele 77 in 92 games for Brazil.

Messi scored from outside the box on the 14^th minute put him level with Pele and he broke the record as he completed his hat-trick on the night with a second half brace.

After the match, Messi and his team-mates celebrated with the Copa America trophy in front of 20,000 fans at the Monumental Stadium.

Messi led Argentina to the Copa title, his first major trophy in international football, in July, beating Brazil in the final.

Messi’s 29-year-old Paris St Germain team-mate Neymar has scored 69 goals in 113 appearances for Brazil.

Argentina are second to Brazil in the South American World Cup qualifying table after winning five and drawing three games.

Marta holds the record for most goals scored by a South American player, having notched 109 for Brazil’s women’s team.

COURTESY