I have waited long time for this, says record-breaker Messi
Lionel Messi who scored a hat-trick for Argentina over Bolivia in a World Cup qualifier, has said he had waited long time to break Pele’s record as South America’s top scorer with 79 goals.
His 77th, 78th and 79th goals marked his seventh hat-trick for the national side and took him two above Pele in the South American scoring charts.
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“I was really anxious, and I really wanted to enjoy it,” Messi said. “I’ve waited a long time for this, I went for it, and I dreamt about it. It’s a unique moment for the way it came about, after waiting so long.”
On a night when Argentine fans were allowed to watch their national team for the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Messi broke down in tears as he lifted the Copa America trophy at the Monumental stadium.
Argentina won the Copa America in July, their first major title in 28 years, and Messi danced with his teammates and showed off the trophy to the 21,000 supporters present.
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“There was no better way to celebrate than by being here,” he said. “My mum is here, my siblings are in the stands. They have suffered so much and they are here celebrating. I am very happy.”
Argentina are in second place behind Brazil in the 10-team qualifying group for Qatar in 2022. The top four teams qualify automatically and the fifth-placed side goes into an inter-regional playoff.