Barcelona forward Lionel Messi said he's "very grateful" for the reaction he received from the Real Betis fans after scoring a hat-trick on Sunday.
Messi produced a masterful display at the Benito Villamarin Stadium in La Liga, inspiring his side to a 4-1 win. Following Atletico Madrid's 2-0 loss to Athletic Bilbao on Saturday, Barcelona now have a 10-point lead at the top of the table.
Following his third goal, Messi was applauded by some of the Betis supporters and sections even started to chant his name. After the match, the Barcelona icon said it was a unique experience for him, per Marca:
"After Atletico's defeat, we couldn't falter.