Lionel Messi sets international record and has Real Madrid legend in his sights

Lionel Messi set a new international record on Sunday as he found the net in Argentina's comfortable 3-0 World Cup qualifying victory over Uruguay.

The Paris Saint-Germain star's goal was unusually fortuitous; his delivery into the area missed both incoming striker Nicolas Gonzalez and goalkeeper Fernando Muslera to sneak into the net.

The goal arrived eight minutes before the break and set Lionel Scaloni's side on course for a three-goal victory to continue their path towards qualification for next year's tournament.

Rodrigo de Paul and Lautaro Martinez also found the net for Argentina in the victory but it was Messi who stole the headlines as he set a new record.

Lionel Messi has enjoyed a strong 2021 with Argentina - scoring nine goals in 13 caps ( Image:

AFP via Getty Images)

His opening goal was the 80th time he netted for the nation - the first South American player to ever reach such a landmark.

Indeed, the other South American star with the most international goals before Messi was Pele - who scored 77 times in 92 appearances for Brazil.

There are significant drops thereafter with Messi's PSG teammate Neymar next up on 69 goals while their former Barcelona teammate Luis Suarez is next - the Atletico Madrid striker has scored 64 international goals with Uruguay.

Former Brazil strikers Ronaldo Nazario and Romario finished their careers with 62 and 55 international goals respectively, with Gabriel Batistuta - the highest Argentine scorer prior to Messi - netting 53 times for his nation during his playing career.

Gabriel Batistuta had been Argentina's record scorer prior to Lionel Messi ( Image:

Reuters)

The only other South American player to have netted over 50 times for their country is Manchester United striker Edinson Cavani, who has bagged 53 goals for Uruguay.

The fact that just eight players have ever surpassed the 50-goal landmark at international level is a nod to the level of CONMEBOL - South American football's governing body - teams.

By contrast, 21 players from UEFA nations scored 50 or more goals for their national sides while there are 63 players in total in that club.

Messi is now fifth in the all-time list of international goalscorers, with Sunday's goal moving him clear of the late former Zambian striker Godfrey Chitalu.

Next up in Messi's sights is the late Real Madrid legend Ferenc Puskas, who netted a remarkable 84 goals in 85 international caps during his career with Hungary.

Former Malaysia striker Mokhtar Dahari is third on the list with 89 international goals while Ali Daei is second having scored 109 times with Iran.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 112th international goal for Portugal on Saturday against Qatar ( Image:

ANTONIO COTRIM/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

Daei's long-standing international record was surpassed by Cristiano Ronaldo last month - the Portuguese superstar netted his 112th international goal against Qatar on Saturday.

Messi's international goal per game rate is 0.52 - the lowest of any player in the all-time top 20 list with Ronaldo's rate standing at 0.62 per match.

Messi won his first international title this summer as he helped Argentina to win the Copa America title - the nation's first trophy since 1993.