NewStats: 3,262,107 , 8,176,087 topics. Date: Saturday, 31 May 2025 at 07:30 PM 2yu2o

Lionel Messi shed tears of joy after scoring his 79th international goal on Thursday night, September 9, to become South America's highest goalscoring male footballer, a record previously held by Pele.

Messi scored all three goals in Argentina's World Cup qualifying win over Bolivia in Buenos Aires, meaning he has two more than Pele who has 77 goals.

Only Brazilian stars Marta (109) and Cristiane (96) have scored more overall international goals in the South American continent (male and female) than the Argentina icon now.

This was also the first time the squad will celebrate the Copa America title won during the summer with fans in the stadium, making the whole celebration a very emotional one for Messi.

“I really wanted to be able to enjoy it," Messi said after the match. "I waited a long time for this, I looked for it and I dreamed of it. It’s a unique moment for the way it happened after so much waiting."

“There was no better way to celebrate this than to be here. My mother, my brothers are in the stands… They suffered a lot and today, they are here celebrating. I’m very happy.”

With the three goals Messi also sured Luis Suarez to become the leading scorer in CONMEBOL's men's World Cup qualifying.

He now has 26 career goals in qualifying. He has been Argentina's most prolific scorer since 2016, when he sured Gabriel Batistuta (54 goals).

Watch the video below:

[url=
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pA8U2BuqKEY][/url]

https://twitter.com/iiFCB10_/status/1436141115200114689

https://insidenaija.com.ng/watch-video-lionel-messi-cries-tears-of-joy-after-suring-pele-to-become-highest-scoring-south-american-male-footballer/

Messi, a great player of the century.

The tears of the god of football is a mystery

There's only one Goat
When you are ask to define football in anywhere worldwide just write down Messi I promise your score is secured 100%


Ok let's see the real Goat here on Nairaland LIKE for Messi SHARE for Ronaldo

Record wey he break with the help of an unrecognized country in the world of football

Abeg make I hear word...As far as I'm concerned,na pele still hold that record

Congratulations to Lionel messi..

Goat ❤️

Damnnn niggar
Messi

Another Ballon d' or loading

Goat

Ok

Seems Messi is emotional

Crying when he knows he can't catch up to Ronaldo, this guy and crocodile tears are like...

Nice try boy...

But

Like for the real GOAT Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro

People wey dey always complain Say the other goat dey score against one team B Country...


Na dere Goat too score against one Yeye country now wey he dey cry sef dem no go talk now.....

Lol

GOAT

Dude can cry sha.

Crying because he scored against Bolivia,a country that is ranked 81 in FIFA world ranking ?
Messi should be ashamed of himself !
His fans should all be ashamed of theirselves for this disgraceful show of tears by their dwarfy god.
Such an embarrassing and disgusting show of emotion against a team ranked that low in FIFA ranking .
#spit

Ok

Insidenaija:


https://twitter.com/iiFCB10_/status/1436141115200114689

https://insidenaija.com.ng/watch-video-lionel-messi-cries-tears-of-joy-after-suring-pele-to-become-highest-scoring-south-american-male-footballer/ ;hmmm

Since the guy comot for Barcelona na so so cry cry...

The original mmmeeeehhhh

Awwwwn

DaniDani:
Messi, a great player of the century.

You meant "the greatest of all time."

He is not a striker, but he scores highest.

He dribbles highest.

Highest solo goals.

Maddest play-making.

Highly entertaining to watch.


Sentiments aside, if we just choose to look strictly at what happens on the pitch and contributions to the game, it's not hard to see that Messi is the greatest of his generation. No other person comes near

One thing I love about the guy is despite his fame and achievements, he seems so humble.

It takes only humility to cry when you outdo others or do something not done before, because the achievement would have made you proud holding your head high like a god, but instead you cry because you see it as an undeserved privilege.

Insecure Pele is yet to congratulate him almost 24 hours after.... Guess that's why they cancel the Brazil Vs Argentina match.

You can't win international trophy on our turf and still break our legend record here.

And to the bloggers, he cried lifting the copa America trophy in front of Argentines.

El-midget

Okay

Why

The real G.O.A.T!

Awon bloggers... he didn't cry because of Pele's record, it was because he lifted the Copa Trophy in front of Argentines in their own stadium something they were able to do at the finals (no fans)...