Lionel Messi has set a new CONMEBOL goalscoring record after he scored a brace for Argentina in their 2-0 win over Peru in World Cup qualifying.
Ahead of kick-off on Tuesday night, the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner was level with Uruguay forward Luis Suarez when it came to goals scored in South American qualifiers.
Suarez, who last played for La Celeste in last winter's World Cup, has been the top goalscorer in South American qualifiers for some time with 29 goals to his name.
But he was overtaken by former Barcelona teammate Messi this week, when the Argentine magician returned to the first-team fold with another game-winning performance.
The 36-year-old forward, who has 106 goals at international level, opened the scoring in the 32nd minute after getting on the end of a Nico Gonzalez cross.And he soon doubled his account before the break to extend his gap as the all-time record goalscorer in South American qualifiers.
"This team is incredible, every time they play they are very close to being the best in history," Messi said after the full-time whistle. "On a game level I think we have grown.
"After winning the World Cup we are confident, very loose, more united and firm. Hopefully we can continue to grow."
Before kick-off, Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni was asked about the possibility of Messi retiring. "Let's keep in mind that he is still here," he said."What a way to think about, 'When he is gone'. The truth is that he is still active, let's leave him alone, are we already retiring him?"
Scaloni added: "I hope he plays as long as he can, everyone is happy to see him on the pitch. We won’t be affected by his break because we won’t be competing again until March.
"I imagine he will do his pre-season with his team, it is not something that really worries us.
"It was already seen today, without having a lot of minutes like it was said… The most important thing is that he is healthy and that’s the best thing, he is managing his minutes."
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