NATIONS - Messi sets new record as highest scoring South American

10.09.2021 23:55 of D.B. TransferMarketWeb   see readings
NATIONS - Messi sets new record as highest scoring South American
TRANSFERmarketWEB.com
© photo Insidefoto/Image Sport

After scoring a hat-trick in Argentina's 3-0 win against Bolivia this week, Lionel Messi has broken the record for the most goals scored by a South American in international football history.

The achievement caps an amazing year for Messi with Argentina, who was the driving force behind the team's Copa America victory this summer, which ended a 28-year drought for a major trophy and his personal quest for glory with the national team.

The title was held by Brazil's Pele wh had 77 goals. Pele made history by being the youngest player to win the World Cup as a 17-year-old member of Brazil's 1958 squad, scoring a hat-trick in the semi-finals against France and two more in the final against host nation Sweden.

With Messi earning the top spot now, second place is that of Brazil's Neymar with 69 goals, Uraguay's Luis Suarez with 64 goals, and Brazil's Ronaldo Nazario with 62 goals.