With his goal against Ecuador, Lionel Messi scored 29 goals in the World Cup Qualifiers for South America and joined Luis Suarez as the tournament’s greatest striker.
Lionel Messi officially had a new career record in the World Cup Qualifiers for South America: Becoming the tournament’s top scorer. And with a beautiful goal against Ecuador, he achieved a feat that only Luis Suarez has achieved to date. Messi has also now scored 104 international goals.
Argentina also extended their unbeaten streak in World Cup qualifying to 22 matches, with their last loss coming in 2017 against Bolivia.
With Luis Suarez not being called up to the Uruguay national team, Messi will be able to break Suarez’s record in Albiceleste’s upcoming matches, specifically the away trip to Bolivia at Hernando Siles Stadium in La Paz on September 13. 9.
The Inter Miami superstar has been considered the favorite to win the 2023 Golden Ball ahead of Manchester City’s Erling Haaland after winning the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Despite the Norwegian winning the treble with Citizens, Messi’s glory with Argentina is likely to help him win the title.
List of historical top scorers in the South American Qualifiers
- 1st place: Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez 29 goals
- 3rd place: Marcelo Moreno Martins 22
- 4th place: Alexis Sánchez 20
- 5th place: Hernán Crespo 19
- 6th place: Marcelo Salas 18
- 7th place: Ivan Zamorano 17
- 8th place: Edinson Cavani 17
- 9th place: Joaquín Botero 16
- 10th place: Agustín Delgado 16