Breaking: Lionel Messi breaks Pele's goals record

Lionel Messi has scored his 79th international career goal for Argentina, surpassing the South American men's record held by Brazil legend Pele.

Messi scored all three goals in Argentina's 3-0 win over Bolivia on Thursday in a World Cup qualifying match at the Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires, giving him two more than Pele, who had 77 career goals in international play.

"I was very nervous, I just wanted to enjoy the night. I waited a long time for this," an emotional Messi said after the match. "We won the game that was the most important thing and now we can celebrate."

Messi, 34, has had a memorable summer -- changing clubs from Barcelona to PSG in August and winning his first senior international football title in July. He and La Albiceleste claimed the Copa America from Brazil in a 1-0 win at Rio de Janeiro's Maracana stadium.

After Thursday's result, Messi danced with his teammates and showed off the Copa trophy to the 21,000 supporters present.

"It was a unique moment [to win the Copa America] because of where and how we obtained the title," Messi said.

"There was no better way to do it and been able to celebrate the title now, it's incredible. My mother, my brothers are here in the stands. They have suffered a lot ... I'm very happy."