As expected, it was GOAT.
Lionel Messi of Inter Miami decorated his A-match return match with a bang. Argentina won a 6-0 victory over Bolivia in the 10th match of the 2026 North-China World Cup South American qualifying round at Estadio Mas Monumental in Buenos Aires, Argentina on the 16th (Korea time). Argentina, which recently failed to win two consecutive games with 1-2 losses and 1-1 draws against Colombia and Venezuela, respectively, succeeded in changing the atmosphere through this great victory. Argentina led the South American qualifying round with 7 wins, 1 draw and 2 losses and 22 points. He maintained his gap with second-place Colombia (19 points) at three points. The South American qualifying round will go straight to the finals up to the 6th place, and the 7th place will have a playoff. As the point difference from the sixth place, which is the direct Maginot line, reaches nine points, it is close to the World Cup finals.
The main character of the day was Messi as well. Messi returned to the national team for the first time in about three months since July. Messi moved away from the national team after the 2024 Copa America final against Colombia at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida on July 15. At that time, Messi collapsed in the 19th minute of the second half. Messi collapsed while breaking through and complained of pain in his right ankle. Argentine medical staff decided that Messi could no longer play, so they eventually replaced Messi. Instead, Nicholas Gonzalez entered. Although he has not yet hinted at retirement, Messi, who said his career is not far away, shed deep tears on the bench as to whether he was disappointed to finish Copa America like this on the last day. Argentina won the cup after a close game without Messi.
Messi, who has since been rehabilitating the steady-down system, returned to the game through the 31st round of the 2024 Major League Soccer (MLS) against Philadelphia on the 15th of last month. Messi made a spectacular comeback by scoring two goals and one assist in his return match. In addition to two goals and one assist during the full 90 minutes of the day, Messi recorded three chances, two effective shots, 33% (1/3), 60% (3/5) of long passes, and two fouls.
Messi continued to perform tremendously afterwards, leading Inter Miami to its first MLS regular league championship. Although he played only 17 games in the aftermath of his injury this season, he left a formidable report card of 17 goals and 10 assists. Messi gave Inter Miami another trophy with a different level of play. As soon as Messi entered the U.S. stage, he performed the magic of giving Inter Miami, the last-place team, its first championship in a month. The U.S. MLS and Mexico's Liga have led the team to win the League Cup. Messi, who moved to the U.S., added a trophy to his career after seven games. He lifted his 44th career championship. Messi completely conquered the U.S. stage in just seven games, receiving the 'Best Player' and the 'Score' award. As expected, it was an amazing move that could not be explained except by the word Messi.
Messi, who made a three-top with Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan) and Julian Alvarez (Atletico Madrid), fired from the beginning. He scored the first and final goal in the 19th minute of the first half. He dug from the right to the center and shook the net with his unique left-footed shot. Argentina continued to shake Bolivia's defense with momentum. It was an assist show this time. In the 43rd minute, he recorded his first help of the day by handing the ball to Lautaro, who was rushing to the side without being greedy in a one-on-one situation with the goalkeeper. In the first half extra time, Alvarez scored with a brilliant free kick. The first half ended with a 3-0 score.
Messi's one-man show continued in the second half. Argentina, which led 4-0 in the 14th minute of the second half with Thiago Almada (Atlanta United) score, finished the victory with Messi completing a gear-co hat trick. Messi, who caught the ball in front of the penalty box in the 39th minute of the second half, neutralized the opponent's defense with an exquisite dribble. He then scored multiple goals with a low right foot shot. In the 42nd minute, he scored with an accurate shot after an exquisite 2-1 pass with Niko Paz (Como 1907) to create a hat trick.
Messi scored as many as five offensive points on the day alone, including hat tricks. In addition to three goals and two assists, he has recorded a tremendous record of four times of opportunity creation, two times of dribbling success, and six times of competition success. Messi scored a total of 112 goals for the national team and 846 goals for his professional career. At the age of 37, it was once again announced that Messi was still at the center of Argentina's attack. Although he has not yet announced whether he will participate in the World Cup, with his current performance, he is expected to not only participate but also win another championship.
vanbasten@sportschosun.com
