Lionel Messi is now Argentina’s top scorer after netting in Copa America — but what a top six
Lionel Messi broke Argentina’s goal scoring record in the 4-0 Copa America Centenario semi-final victory over the USA.
It is just the latest achievement in a sensational career for the little Barcelona frontman.
Messi made it 55 international goals with a sublime free kick in Houston, overtaking the legendary Gabriel Batistuta’s haul of 54.
In fact, Argentina’s top-five is basically a who’s who of footballing greats.
Lionel Messi — 55
Surely the greatest player of all-time — has won the Ballon d’Or a record five times.
Made his national team debut in 2005 and his 112 caps put him fourth on the all-time list behind, Javier Zanetti (143), Javier Mascherano (128) and Roberto Ayala (115), despite still only being 28.
Messi is also both Barcelona and La Liga top scorer and netted a staggering 91 goals in the calendar year 2012.
How many more records can he break?
Gabriel Batistuta — 54
The only other man to have netted over half a century for La Albiceleste.
Batistuta played for Argentina from 1991 to 2002 and is the only player to have scored hat-tricks at two World Cups.
Showed a loyalty notoriously absent from modern football as he spent his peak years at an up-and-down Fiorentina side — even sticking with the Tuscans through relegation to Serie B in 1993.
He finally won a top flight title in Italy in 2001, when he moved to Roma.
Hernan Crespo — 35
Don’t let his indifferent spell at Chelsea fool you, this guy was a class act!
Scored goals for fun at Parma, Lazio, Inter Milan and AC Milan.
He was once the most expensive player in the world, when he moved from Parma to Lazio for £35million in 2000.
Missed a penalty against England at France 98, but Paul Ince and David Batty also failed from 12 yards, rendering Crespo’s blunder irrelevant.
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Sergio Aguero — 34
Theoretically could catch Messi as he is still very much a part of the Argentina set-up.
But the Barca ace will certainly keep on scoring.
Aguero is a world class player, and would be seen as one of the best around in most eras of the game.
It’s his misfortune his time and role is similar to greatest of all-time.
Diego Maradona — 34
Arguably not as talented as Messi — but is no doubt he is Argentina’s best.
Never has one man been so influential to a country winning a World Cup.
Maradona scored doubles in the quarter-final win over England and semi-final victory against Belgium respectively on the way to success at Mexico 86.
He played in four World Cups, finishing as a runner up in 1990.
Gonzalo Higuain — 31
One of the stars of the previous campaign across all Europe.
Higuain equalled an 87-year-old record when he scored 36 league goals for Napoli.
The Italian side will struggle to hold on to the former Real Madrid man, who is wanted by most of Europe.
He has continued his impressive form and netted twice against the USA to send Argentina to the Copa America final.