After breaking Pele's record, Messi is filled with emotion, saying, "I've dreamed of this for a long time."
Lionel Messi was overtaken with emotion after achieving a "dream" by surpassing Pele of Brazil as the all-time best scorer for a South American country.
Argentina cruised to a 3-0 victory over Bolivia in a CONMEBOL World Cup qualifier on Thursday, and Messi's hat-trick put him ahead of Pele.
His first goal, a curling attempt after a cheeky nutmeg, tied him with Pele on 77 points, before a close-range finish just after the hour created a new record.
On a historic night at the Monumental, he completed his hat-trick with a late goal to bring his total to 79 goals for Argentina.
With La Albiceleste finally able to enjoy their Copa America victory in front of their home fans at full-time in July — a first in 28 years – record-breaker Messi couldn't fight back the tears.
He later remarked on the pitch, "I've dreamed of this for a long time, and I thank God it was given to me."
"Because of how it happened and after so much waiting, it's a one-of-a-kind moment."
It was Messi's seventh hat-trick for Argentina, but his first on home soil, and it meant Argentina's unbeaten run, which began in 2019, was extended to 22 matches.
It was more evidence that Argentina is returning to the high standards that many identify with the two-time World Cup winners following a disappointing showing in Russia 2018, a tournament that effectively forced a rethink.
Messi's international career was in doubt at the time as he took a long vacation from international football - many would have predicted Pele's record would outlast Argentina's hero at the time.
"I can't be happier for my family, who is watching me, and for all Argentines," Messi says.
