Lionel Messi becomes all time top scorer in South American World Cup qualifiers

Lionel Messi has become the all time top scorer in South American World Cup qualifiers.

Messi scored two goals for Argentina in their 2-0 win vs. Peru, reaching 31 goals in the qualifiers and into first place. He was previously tied with Luis Suárez for first place on 29 goals.

This is Messi’s sixth South American World Cup qualifying campaign and prior to the start of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, had scored 28 goals. Messi did not score in the 2006 World Cup qualifiers but had four goals in the 2010 campaign, 10 for 2014, seven for 2018 and seven for the 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign.

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