Lionel Messi made history on Friday by scoring his 10th FIFA World Cup goal in Argentina’s quarterfinal win in penalty kicksagainst the Netherlands to equal Gabriel Batistuta’s record.
The Argentina legend had netted 10 goals in 12 games in three different World Cups (1994, 1998 and 2002), but he didn’t manage to lead the team to a FIFA World Cup during his time with the national team.
Bautista went on Instagram (h/t Marca) to congratulate the Paris Saint-Germain star for reaching this accomplishment with the CONMEBOL side.
“Dear Leo, congratulations,” Batistuta wrote on Instagram. “I held the record for 20 years and enjoyed it. Now it’s a great honor and pleasure to share it with you, hoping with all my heart that you can break it already in the next game.”
Messi went on social media to share the image that Batistuta had posted and conveyed his appreciation towards the legendary striker.
“Thank you very much, Bati. I’m proud to be able to share it with you,” Messi said. “And the important thing is that there continue to be many goals for our national team in World Cups, no matter who scores them.”
The Argentina team wants to give Messi the storybook and see the 35-year-old cap off his international career with a World Cup. Lionel Scaloni’s squad sits two wins away from giving the PSG forward the trophy that has long eluded him through the years as a footballer.
