The Barcelona ace has often been criticized for failing to reproduce his club form at international level but he produced a fine treble in his country's victory in Bern.
Lionel Messi has admitted that he experienced a mix of joy and relief after netting his first hat trick for Argentina in Wednesday night's 3-1 win over Switzerland.The three time Ballon d'Or winner has come under criticism for his alleged failure to reproduce his sensational form for Barcelona at international level, but the diminutive No.10 was at his brilliant best in Bern, opening the scoring 20 minutes before then deciding the game in his country's favor with two late strikes.
"[I'm] very happy because we won and because these three goals are special to me," the Blaugrana forward is quoted as saying by Sport.
"I have had a lot of games where I didn't manage to score any goals, but I knew they would come."
Messi linked up wonderfully well with Sergio Aguero all evening and the Rosario native admitted afterwards that he enjoys playing alongside the Manchester City striker.
"We get along great, both on and off the field," Messi is quoted as saying by Sport.
"[But] the important thing is that the team is becoming a very good group. We have to get a group together to achieve important things.
Messi has now scored 22 goals in 67 appearances for his country.
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