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Lionel Messi turned 39 on June 24, 2026, celebrating during his sixth World Cup while leading Argentina as the tournament's all-time top scorer with 18 goals. The defending champions have already secured first place in Group J and advanced to the knockout stage Source: AP News.
Messi marked the occasion at Argentina's training base in Kansas City, Missouri, where teammates surprised him with a cake from a local Argentine bakery Source: AP News. Each teammate wore a personalized T-shirt with a photo and message: "To the man who changed our lives… The best part wasn't just seeing it — it was living it with you!" Source: Clarín. He later shared a photo on Instagram, captioning: "Anoche arrancamos con una linda sorpresa. Gracias!!" Source: El Caribe.
Fans around the world paid homage. In Rosario, Argentina, 5,000 schoolchildren sang "Happy Birthday" Source: AP News. A tea seller in Ichhapur, India, who had met Messi in 2025, decorated his street in blue and white for the 12th consecutive year Source: The Hindu. A young fan named Manuel read a heartfelt letter on streaming TV, thanking Messi for "accompanying my childhood" Source: Clarín.
Messi has scored all five of Argentina's goals in the tournament — a hat-trick against Algeria and two against Austria Source: Milenio. His 18 World Cup goals surpass Miroslav Klose's previous record of 16 Source: Infobae. Despite suggestions he might be rested against Jordan, Messi remains focused: "Lo que toca hoy es disfrutar e intentarlo de nuevo" Source: Heraldo de México.
“Messi marked the occasion alongside his teammates at Argentina’s training base in Kansas City, Missouri. This is his sixth World Cup and the fifth time he’s had a birthday during the tournament.”
“"Anoche arrancamos con una linda sorpresa", contó en sus redes sociales, donde compartió una foto con un pastel de cumpleaños en la que estaba acompañado por algunos de sus compañeros, entre ellos Rodrigo De Paul y Nicolás Otamendi.”
“"Querido Leo, te escribí una carta porque sé que hoy es tu cumpleaños. Espero que te llegue. No quería dejar pasar el día sin decirte lo mucho que significás para mí."”
“On Messi’s 39th birthday on June 24, that affection transformed Ichhapur’s Nawabganj, an industrial neighbourhood located in North Barrackpore municipality of North 24 Paraganas, into a small outpost of Argentina.”
“"Es increíble que Messi siga jugando al máximo nivel", escribió en su cuenta de X con la foto que registró ese momento y que este miércoles fue publicada.”
“Messi está empeñado en regalarle a Argentina un segundo título seguido, nunca visto desde el de Brasil en 1962, y para ello se ha encargado de marcar los cinco goles de su equipo en las dos primeras victorias ante Argelia (3-0) y Austria (2-0).”
“"Lo que toca hoy es disfrutar e intentarlo de nuevo con este grupo que compite siempre", agregó el astro.”
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