On Wednesday, Lionel Messi marked his 39th birthday surrounded by his Argentina national team teammates at their training camp in Kansas during the ongoing 2026 World Cup. He shared the heartfelt celebration in a video posted on Instagram, which quickly garnered over 12.5 million views.
The entire team surprised their captain with a unique gesture orchestrated by Adidas: each player received a personalized shirt featuring a photo with Messi and a heartfelt note on the back. These shirts highlighted significant moments in the team's history, from the jubilant celebrations of Qatar 2022 to crucial qualifying matches.
Among the most talked-about photos was one from Rodrigo De Paul, who selected an embrace with Messi during the Qatar 2022 World Cup celebrations. The birthday festivities also included a cake and a private gathering with teammates and coaching staff.
In the message accompanying the video, the Argentine captain expressed gratitude: "Thank you to my country and everyone worldwide for the countless birthday wishes. Every year, you outdo yourselves and touch my heart even more."
Messi also thanked those close to him both on and off the field: "Thanks to my family and friends who are always there. And thank you to my teammates for this special gift. It's an immense joy to experience all of this and share it with you."
His wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, shared a touching tribute on Instagram, featuring rare photos of their family, including their three sons—Thiago, Mateo, and Ciro—which garnered over 5.8 million likes. "We already have everything we need because we have you. I love you endlessly," Roccuzzo wrote.
This birthday came at a high point in Messi's and Argentina's sporting journey. On June 16, during the World Cup debut against Algeria (3-0 in Kansas City), the star from Rosario scored his first-ever World Cup hat trick, reaching 16 goals and tying Miroslav Klose's all-time record.
Six days later, on June 22 against Austria (2-0), Messi netted two more goals, becoming the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history with 18 goals, definitively surpassing Klose's record.
Argentina advanced to the round of 16 as group leaders, with their next match scheduled for June 28 or 29. This occasion marked the 13th time Messi has celebrated his birthday with the national team throughout his career: "It's a wonderful feeling to compete against anyone knowing I have you by my side," Messi concluded in his message to his teammates.
Lionel Messi's World Cup Milestones
How did Lionel Messi celebrate his 39th birthday?
Lionel Messi celebrated his 39th birthday with his Argentina national team teammates during the 2026 World Cup in Kansas. The celebration included personalized shirts from Adidas, a birthday cake, and a private gathering.
What significant achievement did Messi reach during the 2026 World Cup?
During the 2026 World Cup, Messi scored his first hat trick in World Cup history and became the all-time leading scorer with 18 goals, surpassing Miroslav Klose's record.