Franco Mastantuono's hat-trick in Fiorentina's 4-2 victory over Venezia did more than deliver his best performance since arriving on loan from Real Madrid. A day later, the numbers put his achievement into perspective: at 19 years and 28 days old, the Argentine broke a Lionel Messi record that had stood since 2007.
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The Lionel Messi record Mastantuono broke after his spectacular Fiorentina hat-trick
Mastantuono became the youngest Argentine player ever to score a hat-trick in one of Europe's top five leagues.
The previous record belonged to Messi, who was 19 years, eight months and 14 days old when he produced his unforgettable three-goal performance for Barcelona against Real Madrid. Mastantuono achieved the feat 231 days younger.
Mastantuono surpasses Messi 19 years later
The story behind the record goes back to 2007, when a teenage Messi produced one of his first unforgettable performances for Barcelona.
The Argentine scored three times against Real Madrid, completing his hat-trick with a last-minute goal that secured a draw for the Blaugrana.
It was Messi's first hat-trick for Barcelona. He would eventually score three or more goals in 48 matches during his time at the club.
Nearly two decades later, Mastantuono has surpassed that mark for precocity.
At 19 years and 28 days old, the Fiorentina player achieved the feat 231 days earlier than Messi.
A hat-trick that changes Mastantuono's Fiorentina start
The record carries even more significance because of the circumstances surrounding it.
Mastantuono endured a difficult start after arriving on loan from Real Madrid, while Fiorentina lost its opening three league matches and Fabbio Grosso was eventually dismissed.
Against Venezia, the Argentine began changing that story.
With Fiorentina trailing, Mastantuono struck twice from the edge of the penalty area in the space of two minutes to turn the match around.
Fellow Argentine Matteo Pellegrini also scored before Venezia pulled one back, but Mastantuono struck again to complete his hat-trick.
The 4-2 victory delivered Fiorentina's first three points of the season and gave Paolo Vanoli a winning start after taking charge.
Mastantuono also makes Fiorentina history
Messi's record was not the only mark to fall.
Mastantuono also became the youngest foreign player to score a hat-trick in Fiorentina history, surpassing Claudio Desolati's record.
But it is the Argentine milestone that places his performance in a different category.
