Lionel Messi‘s strike for Argentina in their Copa America quarter-final win over Venezuela has seen the Barcelona forward become the joint-top scorer for the nation, equalling Gabriel Batistuta’s 54-goal record.
Messi combined excellently with Nicolas Gaitan on his first start at the Copa America this summer to net Argentina’s third goal in the 4-1 win on Saturday evening. The 28-year-old enjoyed an sublime performance that also saw the attacker register two assists.
The Barcelona player’s efforts helped Argentina secure their place in the semi-final of the tournament and saw Messi reach yet another landmark in his historic career, scoring his 54th international goal.
The finish has seen Messi equal the tally set by Fiorentina and Argentina legend Batistuta, a record that has stood since 2002 when the striker netted for the final time for the country.
Despite this the Barcelona player was insistent that reaching the semi-finals was more important than his own personal glory.
Speaking on the goal, Messi told reporters after the game: “It’s important for what it means to be the top scorer, because it’s Bati, but what makes me happier is the team, the result, because we made it to the semis.
“I liked the personality of the team and that we always go out to be the protagonists.”
Argentina will now face the USA in the final four of the competition while Chile, who defeated Messi and his teammates in the final of the last tournament, will take on Colombia.
Messi scored 26 times in La Liga this past campaign, helping the Catalans to secure another division title, the eighth of his career.
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