Football star Lionel Messi scored a hat trick, making Argentina the 3-1 winners of an international friendly in the Swiss capital, Bern, on Wednesday evening.

He outshone Switzerland's hot prospect Xherdan Shaqiri, the FC Basel forward who has recently signed with Bayern München, and who struck home for his team in the 49th minute.

Comparisons have been drawn between Messi and Shaqiri as both are quick, technical and left-footed.

The Argentine scored in the 20th minute and in the 88th before rounding the match off with a stoppage-time penalty to live up to his billing as the three-time World Player of the Year.

Switzerland coach Ottmar Hitzfeld had conflicting emotions about a match that slipped away in the closing minutes.

"I'm disappointed with the result," Hitzfeld said, adding, "it's always a huge pleasure to see Messi. Except if you're the coach of the opposing team".

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