Lionel Messi had plenty of reason to smile as he led the Argentine men’s national football team to a 6-0 steamrolling of Bolivia at the Monumental stadium. The Pulga scored three goals and assisted in two in a return to his best form against La Verde after a complicated match  against Venezuela that marked his return to the team.

The team coached by Lionel Scaloni was dominant from the start. Taking control of the ball, Argentina was able to make the most of the previously unheard-of attacking trio of Messi, Julián Álvarez, and Lautaro Martínez. The two strikers were tasked with pressing the Bolivian defenders, allowing Messi to roam the pitch and find gaps to exploit.

The first goal would arrive in typical Argentina fashion. In the 18th minute, a rebound from an interception by Martinez fell to Messi, who didn’t hesitate to aim for the opposition box and slotted a shot into the bottom left corner.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner returned the favor 24 minutes later, as he received a long pass from Álvarez into space and then slipped the ball to Martínez for the 2-0. The generosity didn’t stop there; in the 47th minute of added time, Messi found Álvarez inside the box from long range for the Atlético de Madrid star to wrap up the first half 3-0.

The pace was much the same in the second half. Scaloni took the opportunity to rotate the squad and give minutes to the likes of Thiago Almada, Exequiel Palacios, and Leandro Paredes. The decision proved a smart one. In the 68th minute, Paredes found right back Nahuel Molina with an exquisite long pass, who then crossed for Almada to tap in the fourth goal.

The show was far from over. Messi took over the game in the last minutes, scoring twice in the 83rd and 85th minutes. First he dribbled into the box for a low shot and then combined with Albiceleste debutant Nicolás Paz to slot in the final 6-0.

“It’s great to come here and feel the love of the fans,” said the Rosario native after the game, adding he still gets goosebumps when they clamor for his name. “The moment we’ve been living since a few years back, the connection we have with the fans… we enjoy it all and we love being here.”

Messi, who extended his lead as the all-time Argentina top goal scorer, was quick to dispel  rumors of a national team retirement that have followed him since he left the Copa America final in tears. 

“I haven’t set any deadlines for myself; I just enjoy all this. I’m enjoying being here and feeling the love of the fans more than ever, because it can always be the last time.”

Head coach Scaloni echoed his top player’s feelings. “[He] won’t stop amazing us,” he said, admitting he shared his awe with assistant coach Pablo Aimar. “I hope he plays as long as he can; that’s the only thing I ask because it’s a pleasure to watch him.”The result sees Argentina remain at the top of the South American Qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup with 22 points, three clear of main rivals Colombia. The Albiceleste will return to action in November as they take on a double-header against Paraguay on the 14 and Peru on the 19.