'Magical' Messi just two goals shy of beating Maradona's record of 34 international strikes

Argentinian footballer Lionel Messi is reportedly eyeing another milestone after getting to just two goals behind Diego Maradona's international total of 34 which guided Argentina closer to qualifying for next year's World Cup in Brazil.

The four-time World Player of the Year scored his 32nd international goal to help Argentina defeat Venezuela 3-0 in Buenos Aires as Argentina remained four points clear at the top of the South American group, CNN reports.

According to the report, Argentina has not won the World Cup since 1986 when Maradona led his country to glory, adding that Messi is a desperate hope for the country to change their luck for the better this year.

The football ace, who scored 91 goals for his club Barcelona and his country in 2012 which surpassed the previous record of 85 by Germany's Gerd Muller, looks set to break new ground once again, the report added.