Lionel Messi scores a first-half HAT-TRICK in Maxi Rodriguez’s farewell game in his hometown of Rosario – and the crowded stadium even sings him Happy Birthday!
- Lionel Messi was serenaded by the crowd as he celebrated his 36th birthday
- His three first-half goals gave thousands of fans exactly what they wanted
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Lionel Messi scored a first-half hat-trick in an appearance in his hometown for an exhibition match paying tribute to his Argentina team-mate Maxi Rodriguez.
Rodriguez is retiring from football and had a long list of Argentine greats, including Angel Di Maria and Martin Demichelis, who made an appearance in the game at the Marcelo Bielsa stadium – no more than Messi himself on his 36th birthday.
And the Inter Miami star showed exactly why he is so revered in Argentina with a stunning display for the 42,000 fans in attendance – he scored a hat-trick in the first half in the match which saw an Argentine side take on Newell’s Oldboys.
The crowd even sang Messi “happy birthday” and the superstar said after the match that it was special to spend a birthday in Rosario, the city where he lived as a child before joining the Barcelona football academy at the adolescence.
Messi’s first goal was after just four minutes, when he fired a superb left-footed free kick into the top corner.
Lionel Messi scored a first-half hat-trick in an exhibition game in Argentina on Saturday
Messi was playing in the game as a tribute to former Argentina teammate Maxi Rodriguez
The crowd even sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to Messi – who was turning 36
He chipped the goalkeeper with a sublime finish for his second before hugging him as the ball bounced into the net. For his third, just before half-time, he controlled a high pass into the penalty area before driving the ball home.
“It’s been a long time since I spent a birthday in Rosario, with my family and friends,” Messi said as quoted by ESPN Argentina.
Messi also spoke to the crowd about what it meant to win the World Cup at last year’s tournament in Qatar.
He’s the first to be world champion, so that’s also special. It’s always special to be in Rosario.
“As I said at the time: it was our turn to be world champions, but behind us there were millions of awesome players who did a lot of great things with the national team, beyond the fact that they didn’t lift a cup.”
In a hint at his upcoming move to Major League Soccer, Messi added: “Although what we’ve done is something special (winning the World Cup) and unique, every footballer’s dream…you think about that. that will happen, more than what you have done.
“When it is my turn to leave football, I will remember and appreciate everything I have achieved much more.”
Rodriguez is retiring at the age of 42, ending his career at Messi’s boyhood club Newell’s Old Boys.
Messi was at the game to pay tribute to departing winger Maxi Rodriguez (left)
Rodriguez (centre) had a number of Argentine stars on hand to celebrate his career
He played in Europe for 10 years from 2002 to 2012, notably with Atletico Madrid and Liverpool before returning to Argentina.
Meanwhile, Messi’s Miami side were beaten 4-1 by the Philadelphia Union in Major League Soccer on Saturday night.
This leaves the team last in the Eastern Conference and raises real fears for the team reaching the playoffs, even with Messi’s arrival.
