Lionel Messi has reached a new career milestone after scoring a remarkable free-kick for Argentina on Friday morning.
The 35-year-old returned to his scoring ways for his country in sublime fashion as his placed the ball in the top right-hand corner of the Panama net to score his 800th career goal, with his side claiming a 2-0 victory on the night.
According to Fox Sports, the Paris Saint-Germain superstar becomes only the second player to achieve this feat after his long-term rival Cristiano Ronaldo, who set a world-record with his 197th men's international appearance against Liechtenstein on Thursday night.
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Prior to the match, Messi fought back tears as the 2022 FIFA World Cup winners received a rousing reception at the Monumental Stadium for their iconic triumph in Qatar last December.
Lionel Messi in tears ??What a moment as Argentina welcomes back its World Cup winners. pic.twitter.com/Pn9lHAw7uV
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) March 23, 2023
"I always dreamed of this moment, to celebrate with you in my country Argentina, lifting the greatest thing that is the World Cup," Messi said at a post-match ceremony organised by the Argentina Football Association, according to The National.
"Let's keep doing what we are doing and enjoy this, because we have been waiting a long time to win it again. Let's enjoy the third star."
Marking the Albiceleste's first World Cup title in 36 years, national team coach Lionel Scaloni also added: "Eternal gratitude to these players. Football belongs to them, and without them we wouldn't have won the World Cup."
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