Lionel Messi reached an incredible career milestone in Argentina's 2-0 win over Panama in the early hours of Friday morning with a stunning free-kick goal.
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The 35-year-old struck late on in his country's international friendly victory to bring up his 800th career strike.
Messi stepped up to take a free-kick after Thiago Almada had put the world champions ahead earlier in the match, finding the back of the net with an accurate effort from range.
Here's how Messi brought up his 800th career goal. Argentina 2-0 Panama. pic.twitter.com/fuGOmPgNPw
— KURTWEETY (@KurtLaduma) March 24, 2023
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner has now struck on 99 occasions for the Albiceleste since his debut, while he scored 672 goals during his long stay at Barcelona before leaving as a free agent in 2021.
In France, Messi has netted 29 times in all competitions for Paris Saint-Germain.
The forward has also now scored from 62 direct free-kicks in his career for club and country, three more than his long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo.
Messi thanked those Argentina supporters in attendance after the match with the 2022 FIFA World Cup trophy present, saying: "I want to thank you for all the affection we have been receiving, not only after becoming world champions but also before, when we won the Copa America," Messi said. "We have been saying for a long time that we were going to do everything we could for this."
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