Lionel Messi has become the first foreigner to score three goals in a single French league match, breaking the record set by former France international Thierry Henry in 1998.
In a match against Bordeaux on Sunday, Messi scored his third goal of the season, adding to his tally of five goals and two assists in all competitions this season. The 35-year-old Argentine striker was also named man of the match for his performance.
"Thierry Henry was the first foreigner to score three goals in a single match in France," said Lionel's manager Ronald Koeman. "He did it in front of thousands of fans at Stade de France. I am proud of him."
Despite scoring four goals in his last six games, Messi still remains one of the most prolific scorers in world football. He is currently tied with Lionel Messi for the top spot in the world scoring chart, with 47 goals in 66 appearances.
The record of scoring three goals in a single match is held by Thierry Henry, who scored three goals in a game against Manchester United in 1998. However, Messi has been more consistent in his performances than his compatriot, who has only scored once in 22 matches this season.
"It is amazing how much he can contribute to our team," said Koeman. "He is a very talented player and we have had great success under his leadership. We will be looking forward to seeing what he does next season."