LIONEL MESSI marked his 36th birthday with a hat-trick on his return Rosario.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner returned to his hometown on Saturday to play in an exhibition match against boyhood club Newell’s Old Boys.
Messi received an incredible welcome from fans in RosarioCredit: TWITTER @SC_ESPN
They serenaded him with a rendition of Happy BirthdayCredit: TWITTER @SC_ESPN
Some 42,000 supporters were at the testimonial matchCredit: TWITTER @SC_ESPN
An outline of Messi was projected into the skyCredit: Twitter @SC_ESPN
He received a hero’s welcome upon his arrival at the Estadio Marcelo Bielsa, with 42,000 fans chanting his name.
The crowd even serenaded him with an incredible rendition of Happy Birthday.
And his name was projected into the sky along with the words Feliz Cumple, which translate to Happy Birthday in English.
Messi went on to score a first-half hat-trick after breaking the deadlock with an inch-perfect free kick in the fourth minute.
The match, which was a testimonial for ex-Liverpool star Maxi Rodriguez, ended 4-2 to Argentina.
After full-time, Messi told ESPN: “It had been a long time since I had spent a birthday in Rosario, with my family and my friends.
“Although what we did is something special (winning the World Cup) and unique, the dream of every footballer… you’re thinking about what’s to come, more than what you did.
“When it’s my turn to leave football, I’m going to remember and enjoy everything I’ve achieved much more.”
World Cup winner Messi completed a shock free transfer to David Beckham’s Inter Miami earlier this month.
He had been linked with a move to the Saudi Super League and a return to Barcelona, but he chose to join the MLS side because he wanted to “live football in a different way”.
The forward is expected to make his debut against Mexican club Cruz Azul on July 21.
The match was a testimonial for Maxi RodriguezCredit: AP
Messi scored a first-half hat-trickCredit: AP
