LIONEL MESSI dazzled his team-mates in Argentina training this week as he buried two effortless free-kicks.
He then showed that he is in fact human by crashing his third attempt off the post.
The new Paris Saint-Germain star is back in South America at the moment, as he aims to qualify for his fifth World Cup with his country.
Training at Estadio Olimpico de la UCV in Caracas, Venezuela, ahead of last night's qualifier, Messi sauntered on the edge of the box to practice his free kicks.
His first effort nestled in the bottom corner of the net.
While his second was even better, as he whipped an absolute beauty into the top corner.
He couldn't quite get the quick-fire hat-trick, however, as his third effort cannoned off the post just inches from perfection.
As per usual, the 34-year-old left his legion of fans drooling on social media.
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One wrote: "He makes it look so casual and effortless…"
While a second gushed: "that 2nd one is illegal."
A third added: "The Argentina players are just standing there and admiring him, love it!"
When the match itself came around, Venezuela tried to take drastic action to stop Messi.
ARGIE BARGIE
Substitute Adrian Martinez was red carded less than five minutes after coming on for raking his studs down Messi's shin in he first-half.
The incident sparked Argentina into life, with Lautaro Martinez giving them the lead on the stroke of half-time.
Joaquin Correa and Angel Correa made the points safe in the second 45 before Yeferson Soteldo bagged a cheeky panenka penalty for Venezuela late on.
Despite not having his best ever game in an Argentina shirt, Messi was still greeted with adulation at the end, even being hugged by a pitch invader.
The 3-1 win sees Argentina remain unbeaten in seven qualification matches for next year's World Cup in Qatar – although they trail leaders Brazil by six points.
They will have the opportunity to cut that gap to three on Sunday, however, when they play the Selecao in Sao Paulo.
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