![Argentine striker Gabriel Batistuta celebrates after scoring against [South Africa] during their friendly match match May 25. Batistuta scored his 43rd goal for Argentina becoming their top scorer of all time. Argentina defeated [South Africa] 2-0./File Photo](https://mail.thefinancialexpress.com.bd/uploads/1671246394.jpg)
Former Argentina international Gabriel Batistuta said he was happy to see Lionel Messi overtake him as the country's top scorer at the World Cup in Qatar, where the South Americans are preparing to fight for the title against France on Sunday.
"(Messi breaking the record) didn't hurt me at all because I enjoyed it while I had it," Batistuta, 53, said in an interview with Argentine newspaper Clarin published on Friday."Leo deserves this. If there's one person who has to be up there, it's him.
"Messi is not an alien, he is a human being who plays better football than anyone else. When that person exceeds you, you can't suffer, he just gives you pleasure."
Batistuta, who scored 10 goals in three World Cup editions between 1994 and 2002, added that Messi has exceeded his expectations at the tournament in Qatar with his five goals, three assists and brilliant all-round play.
