Lionel Messi scored five goals in one game for the second time of his career as Argentina ran riot against Estonia on Sunday night.
The Paris Saint-Germain forward was in absolutely lethal form in front of goal for La Albiceleste and insisted Argentina could not have signed off the season in better form, with this victory coming just days after their Finalissima win over Italy at Wembley.
That contest saw the Copa America champions take on the holders of the European Championships in a battle of the continents - one that was won convincingly by the South Americans thanks to a 3-0 victory. Now, reflecting on his astonishing five-goal haul against the European minnows in Spain, Messi took to Instagram to remind Argentina's World Cup rivals they are ready and raring for Qatar.
“We could not close the season better. We won the Finalissima and today we added more minutes preparing for the World Cup.
"Thanks again to everyone who came to the field and to those who follow us from a distance. We’re going to rest for a few days and we’ll be back very soon!" Messi's ludicrous goal-scoring exploits saw the 34-year-old equal an 81-year-old Argentinian record for best scoring return in a single game - matching Juan Marvezzi's effort in 1941.
The former Barcelona icon had wrapped up his hat-trick by the 47th minute, as he showcased the kind of form in front of goal that has seemingly abandoned him at times during his debut campaign in the French capital.
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Messi opened up on his below-par form prior to his national team's Finalissima clash against Italy last week. "It was really difficult to understand what happened, I wasn't expecting to leave Barcelona - it was a shock," he told Argentine outlet TyC Sports.
"I had everything in Barcelona. I left when I was very young. What's more: I lived more in Barcelona than in Argentina. The truth is that I had no plans to change anything. Luckily, the children's adaptation was spectacular. For Antonella and me it was more difficult."
In the same interview, Messi yet again referenced his nation's World Cup prospects and how sights are now firmly set on Qatar from an Argentina perspective: "We must keep improving. Now we have important matches in September, we need to work and improve in order to arrive the best way possible at our World Cup debut."
