Messi smashes Pele's record with hat-trick as Argentina rout Bolivia

Argentina cruised to a 3-0 victory over Bolivia in their 2022 World Cup qualifier.

In the process, Messi became the top-scoring player in men's football in South America, breaking Pele's record. After the match, Messi celebrated Copa America success.

The superstar footballer finally got the opportunity to bring the Copa America Trophy home and share it with fans.

After the dramatic suspension of Argentina's match against Brazil in the FIFA World Cup qualifier, Messi arrived with his Argentinian teammates again, looking to bag a huge record.

However, with his 7th hat-trick in the Argentina shirt, Messi went past Brazil legend Pele in the list of goalscorers in the continent, scoring his 78th goal for La Albiceleste.

On the other hand, Pele had recorded a total of 77 official goals for the Selecao.

Still, Messi is behind Brazil greats Marta (109) and Cristiane (96) when it comes to the top-scoring players from South America.

"I dreamed about this. Finally, it's been given to me. After so much waiting. There is no better place to celebrate it than here. My mother and brothers are here tonight, they suffered a lot and today they celebrate. I am so happy," said Messi after the match.