Seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi opened the scoring on 20 minutes towards Caribbean island minnows in Santiago del Estero.
This got here 17 years after he opened his Argentina account in a 3–2 defeat to Croatia in March 2006.
The 35-year-old quickly added one other to make it 3-0 simply after the half-hour mark, after which accomplished his hat-trick with a fifth on 37 minutes as Argentina toyed with their overpowered opponents.
It was his seventh hat-trick for the nationwide staff.
Fellow goalscorer Nicolas Gonzalez mentioned, “You may’t describe Messi in phrases.”
“He is one of the best on the planet and he reveals it match after match day after day. Each time he touches the ball, he makes you smile.”
Messi got here into the sport not solely as his nation’s all-time document goalscorer, however with extra objectives than the following two high scorers – Gabriel Batistuta’s 56 and Sergio Aguero’s 41.
It was Argentina’s second match since successful the World Cup in dramatic style towards France in Qatar in December – a 4-2 win on penalties after an exhilarating 3-3 draw – and it was at all times about Messi reaching 100 objectives. Was.
Now with 102, he’s third on the all-time listing behind Portugal’s nice rival Cristiano Ronaldo (122) and Iran’s Ali Daei (109).
Messi misplaced on Thursday final week when he scored his 99th aim for the Albiceleste as Argentina labored arduous of their homecoming celebratory match towards Panama.
The Central Individuals have been held out till the 78th minute earlier than 21-year-old MLS sensation Thiago Almada broke their resistance.
Messi then scored instantly from a free-kick a minute from time in entrance of 83,000 ecstatic followers in Buenos Aires — his 800th aim in skilled soccer.
Curaçao, ranked 86th by world governing physique FIFA, might solely maintain out for 20 minutes earlier than Messi took a go from Giovanni Lo Ceslo, lower inside his marker on his weak proper foot and fired a low shot into the underside nook Planted.
The referee was then seen on stay tv tossing the ball to somebody on the fringe of the pitch as DirecTV commentators speculated that it was headed “straight in direction of the museum”.
Three minutes later, González volleyed residence from 4 yards out to goalkeeper Aloysius.
González turned the supplier as Messi scored the primary of three objectives in 4 minutes, this time together with his left foot.
He then laid the ball away for Enzo Fernandez to make it 4 with a shot from distance earlier than Lo Celso received previous the protection for Messi to take his treble on the right track.
Argentina took their foot off the gasoline within the second half, solely a generously awarded Angel Di Maria penalty and a close-range end from Gonzalo Montiel including to the rating.
However the 42,000 followers in attendance have been in celebration temper your entire time, ready to carry the World Cup trophy in entrance of their heroes.
(with AFP inputs)