Lionel Messi put in another excellent performance for Argentina, scoring three goals and adding two assists in a runaway win over Bolivia in South American World Cup qualifying on Tuesday night.

After the match, a 6-0 win for Argentina in front of a raucous crowd at the Monumental de Nuñez Stadium, the 2022 World Cup winner said he is trying to enjoy every moment with the national team and acknowledged the end of his playing days is near.

“It’s really nice to play here and feel the affection of the Argentine fans,” Messi said after the match. “It makes me emotional to hear them shout my name. We all enjoy this connection with the fans and we love playing at home.”

When asked about his future and whether he would help Argentina defend their 2026 World Cup title, Messi was cautious and honest with his answer.

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

The superstar, who missed the two rounds of the competition in October due to a right ankle injury, played from start to finish on Tuesday and wrote his personal history books in the process. It was the first time Messi scored multiple goals and assists in one match for the national team and the hat-trick was his 10th, tying him with Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo for career matches with a hat-trick.

Messi’s first goal came after a mistake by a Bolivian defender, who missed a pass and allowed the 37-year-old Messi to run free and finish unchallenged in front of goalkeeper Billy Viscarra. Messi assisted Lautaro Martínez’s goal in the 42nd minute and made another decisive pass to Julián Álvarez’s goal in extra time.

Argentina seemed to slow the pace after the break, but scored again through Thiago Almada in the 69th minute. The striker scored from close range after a low cross from Nahuel Molina.

Messi’s show had two great finishing touches from the edge of the penalty area, the first in the 84th and the second in the 86th minute. The joy was evident on the 37-year-old’s face as he celebrated with his teammates.

“It’s a pleasure to be there and appreciate this moment. Being surrounded by younger teammates, considering my age, I feel like a child again,” Messi said. “I find myself doing crazy things because I feel so comfortable. As long as I keep that feeling and can continue to contribute to the team, I plan to enjoy being here (the national team).”

Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni shared the joy of watching his team’s superstar and repeated what he said all the time when asked how long Messi would continue playing with the national team.

“All I ask of him is to keep playing as long as possible,” Scaloni said. “It’s a pleasure to see him on the football field. He never ceases to amaze us.”

The result left the World Cup champions top of the round-robin competition with 22 points after ten games, three points ahead of second-placed Colombia, who earlier defeated Chile 4-0. Uruguay is in third place with 16 points after a goalless draw against Ecuador.

Two more rounds of the South American World Cup qualifying will be played in November.

The 2026 World Cup will be the first expanded version of the tournament, with 48 teams across the United States, Canada and Mexico competing for the game’s biggest trophy.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this story.