Argentina forward Lionel Messi said he was delighted to return from injury to score a hat trick in the 5-0 win over Panama at the Copa America Centenario.
The win saw Argentina advance to the quarterfinals and Messi closed to within one goal of Gabriel Batistuta's all-time scoring record (54 - the AFA does not count two goals he scored against the Slovakian youth team in 1995) with the national team.
The Barcelona man, who has been struggling with a back issue, netted three goals in 30 minutes in Chicago after coming on as a substitute and thanked his teammates.
"I am grateful for all this support," Messi said. "It was great to be here, especially because of the public. I am very grateful.
"I lost the pain gradually. Then, I managed to make my first goal. It was a team effort, in a tense game, with very tall grass, dry. It was tricky, but we got where we wanted."
Argentina, who suffered a penalty shootout loss to Chile in last year's tournament, are looking to end their 23-year wait for a major title.
Messi added: "We are doing a good job, growing little by little. By winning the first two games, it is very good."
However, there was less good news for Angel Di Maria, who was substituted in the first half after an injury to his right leg which he will now undergo scans on.