WITH 55 GOALS, LIONEL MESSI BECOMES ARGENTINA’S ALL-TIME LEADING SCORER!!

As Lionel Messi scored his 55th international goal, he became his country’s all-time leading goal scorer. His record led to Argentina thrashing hosts United States 4-0 to ease into the final of the Centenary Copa America on Tuesday.

The whooping 70,858 crowd in Houston who had come to witness the Barcelona star writing his name in the history books were delighted to watch it live. The game had already gone past 32 minutes when a sensational free kick past Brad Guzan was transformed into a goal by Messi.

“I am happy to have surpassed Batistuta’s record and I want to thank my team mates, it’s theirs as well,” Messi, who turns 29 on Friday, told reporters.

Argentina will fight Sunday’s final against either Colombia or reigning champions Chile, who meet in Chicago on Wednesday.

“We needed to get back in a final but we can never get ahead of ourselves,” Argentine coach Gerardo Martino assed.

“We’ve always taken it one game at a time.”

“We are pleased with our general production (so far).”

Here are some facts that you must know about the top scorer, Messi:

EARLY CAREER

* In 2000, he joined Barcelona as a 13-year-old and shone in the youth ranks before then-coach Frank Rijkaard gave him his senior debut at the age of 16 in a friendly against Porto in 2003.

* Made his La Liga debut in October 2004, scored six goals in 17 appearances in 2005-06 as Barca won La Liga.

* Played a key role as Barca claimed six trophies in the calendar year of 2009

* Won La Liga again in 2010 and retained the World Player award

* Equalled the Champions League scoring record of 71 goals set by former Real Madrid and Schalke 04 forward Raul

* Won his eighth La Liga title and fourth Spanish Cup with Barcelona in 2015-16

 For Argentina

* Led Argentina to the title at the 2005 World Youth Championship

*Led Argentina to the gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

* Part of the Argentina side coached by Diego Maradona at the 2010 World Cup that was beaten 4-0 by Germany in the quarter-finals.

* Scored a hattrick in 18 minutes after coming off the bench in Argentina’s 5-0 win over Panama in the Centenary Copa America in Chicago.

The article first published on www.lafdatv.com