Lionel Messi Equals Luis Suarez Record For Most Goals In South American World Cup Qualifiers

Add as a preferred source on Google

Buenos Aires, September 8: Lionel Messi equalled former Barcelona teammate and Uruguay's Luis Suarez record for most goals scored in South American World Cup qualifiers when Argentina defeated Ecuador 1-0 at Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires on Thursday (September 7).

With the clock ticking down, the Argentine superstar produced a moment of magic to achieve the feat with a sensational free-kick in the 78th minute to help his team begin the 2026 World Cup qualifiers on a winning note.

Messi displayed his class as he curled the ball past the wall, leaving the Ecuador shot-stopper stranded and got the ball in the back of the net from an angle that many would have considered as unfavorable for the left-footed magician.

Suarez had solely held the record with 29 goals in the South American World Cup qualifiers, but now he has a companion in the form of his best friend - Messi, who is likely to surpass that tally and make the record as his own when Argentina are in action again.

With Suarez not part of the Uruguay squad, Messi, who has scored 104 goals in 176 games for Argentina, has a chance to add another record to his decorated career when Argentina take on Bolivia in FIFA World Cup qualifying on Tuesday (September 12).

Messi has recently taken America by storm following his move to the Major League Soccer (MLS) side Inter Miami, for whom he has already won a title in his few appearances. The FIFA World Cup 2022 winner has also been nominated for the Ballon d'Or.

With a record seven Ballon d'Or awards to his name, Messi is being slated for an eighth award in Paris next month after he was nominated alongside 29 other players. Manchester City's Erling Haaland is the only player that could challenge the Argentine for the award this year.