Lionel Messi reached the latest major milestone of his storied career on Thursday as he moved on to 800 goals with a stunning free-kick to seal Argentina’s 2-0 friendly win against Panama on Thursday.
The reigning World Cup champions returned to Buenos Aires where they received a thunderous reception from their loyal supporters.
But they would have to wait until the final moments for their favourite son to get on the scoresheet.
Messi had hit the crossbar with a free-kick in the first half.
And after a second set-piece was saved by inspired Panama goalkeeper Jose Guerra, he struck the woodwork again with a third, although this one led to the opening goal as Thiago Almada tapped in the rebound.
But his fourth finally curled under the bar and into the top-right corner, sending the stadium into raptures.
🎥 ¡Tenía que llegar tu gol, capitán! ⚽pic.twitter.com/UzM49A0Utg
— 🇦🇷 Selección Argentina ⭐⭐⭐ (@Argentina) March 24, 2023
— Ferdinand A Baah
