<p>Lionel Messi celebrated his 36th birthday in a memorable way. On Saturday, the World Cup-winning player featured in a game for his Argentinian club Newell's Old Boys. It was played to honour his teammate Maxi Rodriguez’s last international game. Before the match, the crowd at Rosario Stadium welcomed Messi at his home ground in a grand way. And the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner didn’t disappoint the audience and took a stunning free-kick to open the scoring. It was an emotional return for number 10, as Messi had started his career with Newell's.</p>

<p>The Rosario crowd even sang Messi the happy birthday song and the superstar said that it felt special to spend a birthday in Rosario. For the unversed, this is the city where Messi lived as a child before joining Barcelona’s soccer academy in his teenage years.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Lionel Messi is back in his hometown Rosario and the whole stadium sang happy birthday. _<br />
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_ <a href="https://twitter.com/SC_ESPN?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SC_ESPN</a> <a href="https://t.co/a55hx6CF3o">pic.twitter.com/a55hx6CF3o</a></p>
— CBS Sports Golazo __ (@CBSSportsGolazo) <a href="https://twitter.com/CBSSportsGolazo/status/1672729622432169985?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 24, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/princess-kate-plays-tennis-with-roger-federer-at-wimbledon-stst-608756">Princess Kate plays tennis with Roger Federer at Wimbledon</a></strong></p>

<h2><strong>Lionel Messi on his new club</strong></h2>

<p>Messi, who led Argentina to victory in the FIFA World Cup 2022 in December last year, is all set to join his new club MLS. The 36-year-old spoke to Argentinian Public Television and said that he’s very excited about his new journey. “There will be a few days of vacation and then I will start in my new city, my new club (Inter Miami), I am very excited,” said Lionel Messi.</p>

<h2><strong>Messi participated in Maxi Rodríguez’s farewell party</strong></h2>

<p>The number 10 also participated in former teammates Maxi Rodriguez and Juan Roman Riquelme’s farewell party. Both have played for Argentina XI. “It is a very nice feeling to have been able to be at Riquelme’s] testimonial, with all that he means for football in Argentina, what he means to Boca, to be once again in ‘La Bombonera’,” said Messi.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/football-lionel-messis-bombshell-revelation-about-fractured-relationship-with-psg-fans-read-608692">Football: Lionel Messi's BOMBSHELL revelation about 'fractured' relationship with PSG fans | READ</a></strong></p>

<p>As for Juan Román Riquelme’s farewell, Lionel Messi was the captain of the Argentina National Team XI that played against a Boca Juniors XI.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">_ Behind the scenes<br />
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Lionel Messi at the Estadio Marcelo Bielsa last night _<a href="https://t.co/QTs3sm3eSn">pic.twitter.com/QTs3sm3eSn</a></p>
— Newell's Old Boys - English (@Newells_en) <a href="https://twitter.com/Newells_en/status/1673042065939128320?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 25, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>Argentina’s star player scored in the 4-2 victory for the Argentina XI. During the second half, Messi hugged Riquelme and said goodbye. Moreover, while leaving the pitch, the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner handed the captain’s badge to Kily González and gave his place to Javier Saviola. Messi also met Alfio Basile and José Néstor Pékerman on the bench.</p>


Lionel Messi scored a brilliant free-kick during a testimonial match between Argentina and Newell's Old Boys.

Lionel Messi celebrated his 36th birthday in a memorable way. On Saturday, the World Cup-winning player featured in a game for his Argentinian club Newell's Old Boys. It was played to honour his teammate Maxi Rodriguez’s last international game. Before the match, the crowd at Rosario Stadium welcomed Messi at his home ground in a grand way. And the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner didn’t disappoint the audience and took a stunning free-kick to open the scoring. It was an emotional return for number 10, as Messi had started his career with Newell's. The Rosario crowd even sang Messi the happy birthday song and the superstar said that it felt special to spend a birthday in Rosario. For the unversed, this is the city where Messi lived as a child before joining Barcelona’s soccer academy in his teenage years. Lionel Messi is back in his hometown Rosario and the whole stadium sang happy birthday. _ _ @SC_ESPN pic.twitter.com/a55hx6CF3o — CBS Sports Golazo __ (@CBSSportsGolazo) June 24, 2023 × Also read: Princess Kate plays tennis with Roger Federer at Wimbledon Lionel Messi on his new club Messi, who led Argentina to victory in the FIFA World Cup 2022 in December last year, is all set to join his new club MLS. The 36-year-old spoke to Argentinian Public Television and said that he’s very excited about his new journey. “There will be a few days of vacation and then I will start in my new city, my new club (Inter Miami), I am very excited,” said Lionel Messi. Messi participated in Maxi Rodríguez’s farewell party The number 10 also participated in former teammates Maxi Rodriguez and Juan Roman Riquelme’s farewell party. Both have played for Argentina XI. “It is a very nice feeling to have been able to be at Riquelme’s] testimonial, with all that he means for football in Argentina, what he means to Boca, to be once again in ‘La Bombonera’,” said Messi. Also read: Football: Lionel Messi's BOMBSHELL revelation about 'fractured' relationship with PSG fans | READ As for Juan Román Riquelme’s farewell, Lionel Messi was the captain of the Argentina National Team XI that played against a Boca Juniors XI. _ Behind the scenes Lionel Messi at the Estadio Marcelo Bielsa last night _pic.twitter.com/QTs3sm3eSn — Newell's Old Boys - English (@Newells_en) June 25, 2023 × Argentina’s star player scored in the 4-2 victory for the Argentina XI. During the second half, Messi hugged Riquelme and said goodbye. Moreover, while leaving the pitch, the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner handed the captain’s badge to Kily González and gave his place to Javier Saviola. Messi also met Alfio Basile and José Néstor Pékerman on the bench.

A look at Lionel Messi's 36th birthday celebration

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A look at Lionel Messi's 36th birthday celebration