Messi eclipses Maradona's record with hat-trick for Argentina

Surpasser!  Lionel messi Surpasses Maradona on the all time goal scoring chart for Argentina

Surpassed! Maradona has been surpassed by the diminutive Argentine 

Lionel Messi overtook Diego Maradona's goal tally for Argentina on Friday night with a hat-trick as he helped his country trounce Guatemala 4-0 in a friendly.

Equalled! Hernan Crespo and Messi are now on the same goal scoring page

Golden! Gabriel Batistuta remains the golden boy of Argentina

The Barcelona superstar pulled level with Hernan Crespo on 35 goals but is still 21 behind the legendary Gabriel Batistuta.

People often argue over whether Messi is better than Maradona was but there will be no contest in the scoring stakes - at just 25 years old Messi is likely to finish his career as his country's top scorer.

He returned to the starting line-up after coming from the bench in the previous two matches because of a recent injury and immediately took centre-stage.

He opened the scoring with a long-range strike, set up Augusto Fernandez for the second goal and then converted a penalty to draw level with Maradona.

But early in the second half he received from Ezequiel Lavezzi and side-footed home cooly to seal the win.

He was given a standing ovation when substituted not long afterwards.