Lionel Messi feels ‘like a child’ after Argentina’s hat-trick against Bolivia.

Lionel Messi says he still feels “like a kid” playing for Argentina after scoring a hat-trick in his country’s 6-0 win over Bolivia on Tuesday.

The 37-year-old was involved in five of Argentina’s six goals in their World Cup qualifying victory at the Estadio Mas Monumental in Buenos Aires and provided two assists in addition to his hat-trick.

This took Messi’s tally for Argentina’s senior national team to 112 – a number only surpassed in international men’s football by Cristiano Ronaldo’s 133 for Portugal.

“It’s really nice to come here and feel the affection of the people,” Messi said.

“That drives me. (I) enjoy being happy where I am. Despite my age, I feel like a child when I’m here because I feel comfortable in this team. As long as I feel good and can perform the way I want, I will continue to enjoy it.”

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Messi gave Argentina the lead after 19 minutes on Tuesday night after Lautaro Martinez took advantage of a defensive error to win the ball high in the Bolivian half.

The Argentina captain then took over as provider for Martinez as the hosts doubled their lead just before half-time, passing the ball to his teammate and leaving him with an empty net to roll into.

(Juan Mabromata/AFP via Getty Images)

Argentina scored their third goal in first-half stoppage time through Julian Alvarez after the Atletico Madrid striker was found by a quick free kick from Messi.

Thiago Almada extended Argentina’s lead midway through the second half before Messi added his team’s fifth and sixth within three minutes to complete the scoring.

The Inter Miami striker hit the bottom corner just inside the penalty area in the 84th minute and completed his hat-trick in the 86th minute with another low shot following a combination with Nico Paz.

The game was only Messi’s second appearance for Argentina since he was forced out of the Copa America final in July with an ankle injury. He returned to the club in September and has scored five goals in six Major League Soccer (MLS) appearances since his comeback.

Tuesday’s win leaves Argentina top of their World Cup qualifying group with 22 points from 10 games.

Messi had said the World Cup in Qatar in 2022 would be his last, but ahead of the 2024 Copa America he did not rule out taking part in the 2026 tournament. He will be 38 when the next World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Mexico and Canada, begins, and he will be 39 during the tournament.

Argentina return to action against Paraguay in November.

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(Top photo: Luis Robayo/AFP via Getty Images)