Lionel Messi Record: Messi and breaking records just go hand-in-hand these days. It seems that in every other game that the Little Magician plays, he is breaking one record or the other. On yet another day wherein Messi broke a record, he scored his 800th career goal for club and country in Argentina’s 2-0 friendly win over Panama in Buenos Aires on Thursday night. Follow Lionel Messi LIVE Updates on InsideSport.IN
Also Read: Argentina vs Panama HIGHLIGHTS: On-fire Lionel Messi inspires Argentina to victory vs Panama with THUNDEROUS free-kick, Messi’s other FK produces Thiago Almada’s GOAL – WATCH FIFA Friendlies Highlights
Leo Messi was in sublime form for the Albiceleste in their game against Panama. He could have had a hat-trick of free-kicks but he hit the woodwork twice. Then, in the 89th minute of the game, Messi curled his third try past Panama keeper Jose Carlos Guerra. That goal sent the Monumental Stadium into pandemonium.
The Argentine rockstar just needed a single goal to reach the 800th goal mark in his career. His goal against Nantes in PSG’S Ligue 1 game had him waiting at the 799 mark. Shortly after winning the Best FIFA Men’s Player award and leading Argentina to the 2022 World Cup championship in Qatar, Messi passes the 800-goal threshold. Last month, he also celebrated scoring his 700th goal for the club.
#ARG 🇦🇷 2 – 🇵🇦 0 #PAN | 43 ST | Leo la soltó y la gente lo gritó, de tanto intentar se hizo realidad.
Mirá el partido EN VIVO en https://t.co/fnEKkuadQ9 #SomosMundiales pic.twitter.com/nPKpl0drjZ
— Televisión Pública (@TV_Publica) March 24, 2023
Argentina’s first game after defeating France in Qatar in December featured a victory over Panama. Thiago Almada opened the score in the second half, and Messi added his historic goal just before the end of regulation to the cheers of the home crowd. According to the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS), after Ronaldo, only Messi has managed to reach the 800-goal landmark.
Messi’s words after the game
Leo Messi was full of praise for the fans and also spoke to them post the game. He said, ‘I want to thank you all for the love and recognition that you have been receiving, not only after the World Cup but also for the Copa America. We said that we were going to give it all for this trophy.’
Even Scaloni could not hold back his tears as the Argentine champs played in Argentina for the first time since their triumph in Qatar. A teary-eyed Scaloni said, ‘Eternal gratitude to these players. Football belongs to them, and without them we wouldn’t have won the World Cup. Everyone who wears this shirt gives their all and sometimes the results don’t come. But this time we got it and it’s incredible.’
La Pulga Atomica will be glad that he caught up with Ronaldo as the only two players to cross the 800-goal mark. Ronaldo achieved the mark in December 2021. Messi has also scored 98 times for Argentina and will be hoping to round it to a nice 100 in their next game against Curacao.
Follow InsideSport on GOOGLE NEWS / Follow Lionel Messi LIVE Updates on InsideSport.IN
