Messi becomes Argentina's fifth top scorer at World Cup finals

Buenos Aires, June 26 (IANS) Star Argentine footballer Lionel Messi Wednesday became his country's fifth top scorer at a FIFA World Cup, after scoring two of three goals to defeat Nigeria 3-2 in a Group F clash.

Argentina's No. 1 World Cup scorer is Gabriel Batistuta, with an amazing goals, followed by Guillermo Stabile and Diego Maradona (8), Mario Kempes (6) and now Messi (5), reports Xinhua.

The forward has so far scored four goals at this year's cup in Brazil, one against Bosnia (2-1), one against Iran (1-0) and the two against Nigeria (3-2).

Add the goal he scored against Serbia at the 2006 Germany World Cup -- when as a substitute he was called onto the field to help Argentina beat the Serbs 6-0 in the second game of the group phase -- and you have a grand total of five goals.

At the 2010 South Africa World Cup Messi fared poorly, failing to score in five matches.

Trailing Messi with four goals are fellow Argentines Leopoldo Luque, Daniel Bertoni, Jorge Valdano, Claudio Caniggia, Hernan Crespo and Gonzalo Higuain.

With 42 overall goals, Messi ranks in second place behind Batistuta (56) as Argentina's top national team goal scorer.