Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick as Paris Saint-Germain defeated Lille 3-1 in their Ligue 1 round 24 match on Sunday night. The Argentine forward has become only the second foreign player over 35 years old to achieve this feat after Cristiano Ronaldo did so with Manchester United in 2018.
Messi's first goal came from a header from a corner kick, his second was a brilliant strike from outside the box and his third was a clinical finish following a cross by Neymar. The hat-trick is Messi's seventh of the season and his fifth in four games for PSG.
The victory puts PSG top of the table with 69 points, five clear of second-placed Lyon. They will be hoping to maintain their momentum against Bordeaux next weekend.
Ronaldo's record-breaking performance at Old Trafford has reignited the debate about whether foreign players should be allowed to play in European leagues. While some argue that it benefits the sport and creates more competition, others believe it disadvantages domestic players who may not have the same level of talent or experience.
Despite this, Messi's hat-trick highlights the fact that foreign players can still make a significant impact in Europe's premier league. It also shows that age is just a number and that anyone with the right skill set can achieve great things.
Overall, Messi's hat-trick was a reminder that football is a beautiful game and that the best players can still perform at the highest level no matter their age or nationality.