‘Living legend’ Lionel Messi (39) marked his 39th birthday with national teammates after setting the all-time World Cup top scoring record. Messi held a birthday party on the 25th at the Argentina national team training camp in Kansas City, Missouri, United States, prepared for the 2026 North and Central America World Cup. This tournament is his sixth World Cup. Except for the 2022 Qatar World Cup being held in November and December, this is the fifth time his birthday has fallen during a World Cup.

On the 23rd, in the second Group J match of the group stage against Austria, Messi scored two goals, bringing his tally at this tournament to five.

Following a hat-trick against Algeria, Messi recorded multiple goals in two consecutive matches, increasing his World Cup career total to 18 and surpassing Germany forward Miroslav Klose (16) to take sole possession of first place all-time. The gap with France forward Kylian Mbappe (16) widened to two. Messi has scored all five of Argentina’s goals at this tournament, leading the team to an early advance to the round of 32. Argentina defeated Algeria and Austria in succession to clinch first place in Group J.

Messi posted a photo on his social media with a birthday cake in front of him alongside teammates and wrote, “We had a great surprise party last night. Thank you.” The birthday cake was reportedly prepared by a bakery in Kansas City operated by a baker from Argentina.

Forward Julian Alvarez also posted a photo taken with national team players.

The players wore T-shirts printed with individual photos taken with Messi and celebrated his birthday. Alvarez wrote, “He is someone who has changed our lives, given us unforgettable moments, and made us believe that dreams can come true. The greatest happiness is being able to spend this time with you,” adding, “Captain, happy birthday. I love you.”

FIFA, his club Inter Miami, and his former club FC Barcelona also sent birthday messages through their official accounts.

In Rosario, Argentina, his hometown, about 5,000 schoolchildren sang a birthday song to mark the occasion.

Having set a new all-time World Cup scoring record at this tournament and celebrating his birthday, Messi continues Argentina in its bid for back-to-back World Cup titles.