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Lionel Messi is arguably having the best FIFA World Cup performance of his entire career, scoring three goals, so far, including one in the Argentina win over Australia to reach the quarterfinals at Qatar 2022.
Messi, 35, had never scored in the knockout stages of the sport's biggest tournament through four previous participations.
Messi, who was named the MVP of the match on Saturday, spoke on how he feels thankful for having Argentina fans supporting him.
"These are incredible feelings and we love to share these moments with them," Messi said. "We know they made a lot of effort to be here and we also remember those who are in Argentina.
"This union we have is something very nice and that is what the national team has to be. We wanted to get together again with our people because it is incredible how they live it and how they transmit us that joy. We thank them for that."
Messi reaches 1,000 career games
Messi now has 789 goals through 1,000 career games and is looking better than ever.
He spoke on how his young sons are now old enough to understand the importance of a World Cup, which may explain why Messi has been on a tear.
"My family is always on my mind," Messi said. "My children, because they are grown up and understand everything. They suffer it, they enjoy it... I am very happy to share these moments with them.
"It's my first World Cup with my children being grown up and understanding everything. For my youngest children it's the first World Cup and it's always the happiest. Thiago, who is the oldest, was not yet aware of what a World Cup is."