Michael Phelps won a 22nd Olympic gold and 26th medal in all with victory in the 200 metres individual medley on Thursday night.
The 31-year-old American, who plans to retire after the Rio Olympics, broke a 2,168-year-old record for the most all-time individual Olympic titles with the victory.
"I see that there are a lot of problems in Argentina football and I don't want to create more. I don't want to cause harm, on the contrary, my goal was to help in any way I could. ...
There are many things that need to be fixed in Argentine football. But I prefer to help from inside rather than stand on the outside and criticism. A lot of things ran through my head on the day of the [Copa America] final. And I seriously considered leaving the team. But I love my shirt and my country too much.
I want to thank all the fans who wanted me to keep playing for Argentina. I hope we can give them joy very soon."
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Messi replaced Augusto Fernandez in the 61st minute, drawing a big ovation from a sea of No. 10 Argentina jerseys and the familiar colors of Barcelona, his club team. A few minutes later, the five-time FIFA Player of the Year got right back to work.
First, Roderick Miller's clearing attempt for Panama went off Gonzalo Higuain's hands as he went to protect his face and right to Messi, who took a couple dribbles and then beat Jaime Penedo on the ground to the goaltender's right side.
A left-footed chip past Penedo on the goalkeeper's right side finished off Messi's fourth international hat trick, joining friendlies against Switzerland and Brazil in 2012, and Guatemala in 2013
Winger Philippe Coutinho had the finishing touch with his first career hat trick, rifling in a 25-yard strike to open the scoring in the 14th minute, then tapping in from close range after a Dani Alves cross and Jonas square pass. He hit for the hat trick in second-half stoppage time with a curling strike from outside the penalty area.
Renato Augusto struck twice for Brazil, heading in a Dani Alves cross in the 35th minute and capitalizing on a turnover in the 86th.
The only negative for La Seleçao in the first half was the yellow card issued to defensive midfielder Casemiro, his second of the competition, which means he will be suspended for Sunday’s final group game.
In the wide-open second half, substitutes Gabriel and Lucas Lima scored for Brazil, set up by passes from Elias and Dani Alves, respectively, before Philippe Coutinho and Renato Augusto added to their tallies.
Haiti did grab a goal to remember in the 70th minute, as substitutes Duckens Nazon and Max Hilaire combined to force Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson into a save, with James Marcelin arriving to crash home the rebound.
Brazil will close group play against Peru in Foxborough, Massachusetts on Sunday, while Haiti will close their first Copa America against Ecuador in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
