Copa America

Lionel Messi: 'Whole team deserve credit for Argentina win'

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 11 June 2016

Argentina forward Lionel Messi reveals his delight after netting a hat-trick in his country's 5-0 win over Panama at the Copa America.

Argentina forward Lionel Messi has revealed his delight after netting a hat-trick in his country's 5-0 win over Panama at the Copa America on Friday night.

Messi's trio, which came in 19 second-half minutes, secured Argentina a spot in the quarter-finals of the Copa America.

However, rather than taking the credit, the Barcelona attacker, who returned from a back problem for the clash, was quick to praise his teammates for their contribution to the victory.

"I was in pain but thankfully, little by little, I got going and thought it was best to start slowly and play a little bit, and that was what happened," Messi told reporters.

"[The victory] was the work of the whole team because we worked very hard and intensely so our opponents couldn't play. The win would've secured first place, and we did that. We're growing and calmly. Hopefully [we can win the Copa] because it's what all the players want."

Messi has now scored 53 goals in 108 appearances for Argentina.