Lionel Messi hailed Argentina's impressive run of form that saw them batter Estonia 5-0 in an international friendly in northern Spain - with their talismanic captain grabbing all the goals.
Messi's haul took his international goals tally to 86 in 162 appearances, while also extending Argentina's unbeaten run to 33 matches.
It capped an impressive week for Lionel Scaloni's side as the Copa America winners beat Italy 3-0 in the Finalissima – a game between the respective champions of South America and Europe – at Wembley on Wednesday.
Messi posted on Instagram: “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!”
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Lionel Messi lifts the trophy as Argentina celebrate their victory in the Finalissima against Italy at Wembley Stadium in London on June 1. AFP -
Lionel Messi lifts the Finalissima trophy. Getty -
Messi celebrates with his teammates. AP -
Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates with teammates after winning the Finalissima. Reuters -
Lionel Messi celebrates with the trophy. EPA -
Argentina striker Lautaro Martinez scores the opening goal in the 3-0 win against Italy at Wembley Stadium in London. AFP -
Lautaro Martinez scores the opening goal of the 'Finalissima'. AFP -
Argentina's Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul celebrate after taking the lead. AFP -
Angel Di Maria (C) celebrates scoring the second goal. AFP -
Lionel Messi and midfielder Rodrigo De Paul celebrate after taking the lead against Italy in the 'Finalissima' at Wembley Stadium in London. AFP -
Lautaro Martinez (R) celebrates with teammates. AFP -
Angel Di Maria celebrates after scoring their second goal. AFP -
Italy's Nicolo Barella and Lionel Messi battle for the ball. AP -
Argentina's Angel Di Maria celebrates scoring their second goal with Lionel Messi. Reuters -
Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini holds on to Lionel Messi. AFP -
Lionel Messi talks to Giorgio Chiellini. EPA -
Argentina's Paulo Dybala celebrates scoring their third goal. Reuters
The 34-year-old became the first player to have netted five times in both a single European Cup or Champions League clash and in an international match.
He previously found the back of the net five times 10 years ago, when Barcelona hammered Bayer Leverkusen 7-1 in the Champions League last 16 second leg at Camp Nou.
Argentina have been drawn in Group C for this year’s World Cup in Qatar alongside Saudi Arabia – whom they play first on November 22 – Mexico and Poland.
Last week, it was announced that two-time world champions Argentina will prepare for the 2022 World Cup with a training camp in Abu Dhabi.
The deal was is part of a partnership between the Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC) and Argentina Football Association (AFA).
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Lionel Messi takes part in an Argentina training session at Wembley Stadium, London, Tuesday May 31, 2022. AP -
Argentina captain Lionel Messi leads his team out for a training session ahead of the Finalissima Conmebol - UEFA Cup of Champions match against Italy at Wembley Stadium in London, Britain, 31 May 2022. Latin American champions Argentina will play European champions Italy in the Finalissima on 1 June 2022. EPA -
Lionel Messi of Argentina trains at Wembley Stadium. Getty Images -
Lionel Messi listens to Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni. Getty Images -
Italy head coach Roberto Mancini and Lionel Messi of Argentina shake hands. Getty Images -
Argentina's Lionel Messi, left, takes part in a training session at Wembley Stadium. AP -
Argentina national team captain Lionel Messi takes part in a warmup. EPA -
Argentina striker Lionel Messi attends a team training session at Wembley. AFP -
Argentina national team captain Lionel Messi smiles. EPA -
Lionel Messi (C) trains with Argentina teammates on the eve of the Finalissima Conmebol. EPA -
Argentina national team captain Lionel Messi, right, and teammate Giovani Lo Celso. EPA -
Lionel Messi of Argentina warms up. Getty Images -
Argentina's Lionel Messi speaks to manager Lionel Scaloni. PA -
PSG teammates Marco Verratti of Italy and Lionel Messi of Argentina. Getty Images -
Lionel Messi of Argentina kicks the ball. Getty Images -
Argentina captain Lionel Messi. AFP
