Topics: Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Scaloni, Argentina, Jamaica, International Friendly
La Pulga came off the bench and put in another masterclass, guiding his nation to a confidence-boosting 3-0 win over Jamaica.

The international break has finally come to an end, but it would not be a perfect farewell without another Lionel Messi masterclass!

After his lovely two-goal haul in the 3-0 victory over Honduras, featuring his brilliant chip over the keeper for the second of his two strikes, the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner took center stage for his national team for the second time in a row.

The South American giants took on Jamaica in another friendly in the USA in one of their final preparatory games before the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, which kicks off on November 20. The Red Bull Arena in New Jersey, the venue for this tie, was packed with fans eager to see La Pulga live in action and while the PSG star started the game on the bench, he managed to entertain nonetheless after being subbed on.

The 35-year-old came on for Lautaro Martinez shortly before the hour mark yet was able to score twice, the first being a lovely shot from outside the box in the 86th minute. Three minutes later, Messi grabbed his second–and his nation's third–courtesy of a brilliant free-kick goal.

The attacker hit a low-driven shot that crept past the wall and into the bottom-left corner of the net, sending the fans in the stands into overdrive. Check out his lovely goal in the clip below (video is geo-restricted).

This effort not only saw La Pulga continue his fine goalscoring form for his country, netting a whopping nine times in his last three international appearances, but he also overtook bitter rival Cristiano in one interesting department. No longer are the two icons tied on free-kick goals as Tuesday's strike was Lionel's 59th in his career, moving him one ahead of Ronaldo (58).

As a result, Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni was signing Messi's praises after the game, and understandably so, likening him to tennis icon Roger Federer, who recently retired, while claiming there might never be another player like Leo.

"I enjoy him just like you," Scaloni said, as per Mundo Albiceleste. "He is like Federer. He retired and the entire world got emotional thinking he won't be here anymore. It was wonderful to see him play. The same thing with him, although much more because football is a sport that moves much more. It's why the entire world enjoys him, regardless of the country.

"It's wonderful to see. I have the possibility of coaching him but if I were a fan, I would pay the ticket. The only thing left is to enjoy him because I don't know if there will ever be anything like him."

Argentina have one more friendly scheduled before Qatar 2022 and that is a showdown with fellow Middle-Eastern side the UAE. After that is their clash with Saudi Arabia on November 22, their opening fixture of the upcoming World Cup.