[WATCH] Lionel Messi puts on a ‘MASTERCLASS’ with first half hat-trick in Argentina’s 7-0 win over Curacao

Lionel Messi surpassed 100 career goals for Argentina with a hat-trick in the first half of the World Cup champions’ 7-0 rout over Curacao on Tuesday.

Argentina defeated Curacao 7-0 to finish their celebratory tour at home. With this victory, Argentina is predicted to move up to the top spot in the FIFA global rankings.

With a right-footed drive from the edge of the box in the 20th minute of the international friendly versus the Caribbean team, Messi, 35, became the 1st player to score 100 goals for Argentina.

He added his 101st goal for Argentina with a crossed shot to the right of the goalkeeper with a Nico Gonzalez assist and his 102nd goal after an easy run to score.

Lionel Messi inspired the Argentine team to an easy win over Curacao in front of their home crowd, making the opponents look average.

Only two other male players, Iran’s Ali Daei and Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, have scored more goals for national teams in international competitions than the Argentine captain.

He is the second South American overall, behind Brazil’s Marta, who has 109 goals for the nation, and the first South American male player to reach the 100-goal milestone.

This was the last action for Argentina until a reported June tour of Asia (June 14-20), where they will play two friendlies. That will be followed by the opening of 2026 World Cup qualifying in September at home against Ecuador and then away at Bolivia.