Lionel Messi scored his 10th hat-trick for Argentina in a 6-0 World Cup qualifying win over Bolivia on Tuesday, taking his career tally for his country to 112 goals.

Messi played the entire game in front of loud fans at the Estadio Monumental, who chanted his name after he scored the opening goal in the 19th minute. Messi added more goals in the 84th and 86th minutes. Only Cristiano Ronaldo has scored more international goals in men's football than Messi, with 133.

However, the 37-year-old admitted his international career was nearing an end as he refused to say whether he would play at the 2026 World Cup.

“I have not set a date or deadline for my future,” Messi said. “I just enjoy it all. I’m more emotional than ever and accepting all the love from people because I know these could be my last games.”

Messi said his younger teammates would help him enjoy football as he approaches 40. “It’s a joy to be there and appreciate this moment. When I'm surrounded by younger teammates given my age, I feel like a kid again,” Messi said. “I find myself doing silly things because I feel so comfortable. As long as I keep that feeling and can continue to contribute to the team, I plan to be here and enjoy (the national team).”

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said he hopes Messi's international career lasts as long as possible.

“It always surprises,” Scaloni told reporters. “At some point I’ll sit down with (assistant coach) Pablo Aimar and tell him it’s wonderful. Sitting on the bench and watching what he does? The team is with him and what I ask of him is to play for as long as he can.”

Elsewhere on Tuesday, Brazil and their under-pressure coach Dorival Júnior found relief with a convincing performance in a 4-0 home win over Peru.

Argentina leads South American qualifying with 22 points after 10 games, three points ahead of second-place Colombia, which beat Chile 4-0. Uruguay, who previously played a goalless draw against Ecuador, and Brazil have 16 points each, with the Uruguayans in third place on goal difference. Ecuador and Paraguay follow with 13 points each, with Ecuador in fifth place on goal difference.

The top six teams will automatically secure a spot in the 2026 World Cup. The seventh-place team, currently Bolivia, will play in an international playoff for a spot in the expanded 48-team tournament.