Lionel Messi has had a mixed year for Inter Miami and Argentina when it comes to staying fit and playing games.
The 37-year-old attacker has missed almost half of Inter Miami’s matches this season due to various fitness issues, the biggest of which came this summer when Messi was injured playing for Argentina in the Copa America final.
With the Inter Miami captain now fully fit and back representing the reigning FIFA World Cup champions, the veteran forward showed why he is one of the best players in the world as Messi scored a hat-trick for Argentina against Bolivia.
And Herons teammate Noah Allen has offered his support to Messi after a strange claim was made.
Noan Allen says Lionel Messi thrived in ‘really tough game’ vs Bolivia
Speaking to the media at open training, the Inter Miami youngster backed Messi’s performance against Bolivia with Allen saying the South American nation gave Argentina ‘a really tough game’ despite the scoreline.
Bolivia are considered the weakest nation in South America with La Verde playing in just three World Cups, the last of which coming in 1994 when the United States hosted the competition for the very first time.
And for Allen, Messi’s performance coming across as nothing of note because of the opposition is something that shouldn’t be considered, with the Argentine international having some tough moments against Bolivia.
Allen said when asked about Messi’s performance: “He’s still got it, obviously. One thing that really stood out to me is that that was actually a really tough game. I know a lot of people are probably saying: `It was just Bolivia,’ but that’s a really tough game, and to score a hat-trick and grab two assists, that’s unreal.”
Messi proved he is still one of the best players in the world
Bolivia might not be the most appealing opposition in the world, but for the likes of Allen who know how good these national teams can be, Messi more than showed why he is still one of the best players in the world.
As his stats from the game show, Messi was simply out of this world for Argentina in Buenos Aires, with the 37-year-old potentially having more goals and assists if certain chances went in favor of the Inter Miami star.
| Lionel Messi stats vs Bolivia | |
| Goals | 3 |
| Assists | 2 |
| Total shots | 7 |
| Chances created | 4 |
| Total passes | 54/67 (81%) |
And heading into the play-offs, Messi is in the form of his life, a factor that could help Inter Miami go all the way in winning MLS Cup for the first time in their history having already won the Supporters’ Shield.