Argentina’s national team humbly shares Lionel Messi’s birthday cake with fans waiting for him outside the hotel in New Jersey

The 2024 Copa America could possibly be Lionel Messi's last continental tournament, amid retirement rumors.

Argentina’s national team humbly shares Lionel Messi’s birthday cake with fans waiting for him outside the hotel in New Jersey

Lionel Messi and his fans celebrated the player's 37th birthday. (via IMAGO)

Argentine star Lionel Messi smiled and waved outside his hotel window to greet adoring fans on his 37th birthday. The national team staff distributed cake among fans who were eagerly waiting to celebrate the special day.

Messi, who turned 37, celebrated his birthday while away on international duty at the Copa America in the USA. Away from his family, the Argentine posed for pictures with his birthday cake and teammates on social media. Among them were Cristian Romero, Rodrigo de Paul, Angel Di Maria and Nicolas Otamendi. The celebrations for the Argentine captain’s 37th birthday extended from New York’s Times Square to his hotel in New Jersey.

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Argentine supporters gathered outside the Hilton Short Hills hotel, adorned in white and sky blue, and received a greeting from the Inter Miami player who observed from his room window. The fans patiently waited to greet not just Messi but also his teammates, and were later treated to Dulce de Leche cake by staff members. Celebrations concluded just before 10 p.m., leading up to Argentina’s upcoming match against Chile at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

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Moreover, the ex-Barcelona star thanked fans and fellow teammates for their well-wishes and greetings, and for their love. On the occasion of his 37th birthday, he also received a bottle of Argentinean wine as a gift from Inter Miami owner David Beckham.

Argentinean star Lionel Messi’s career over the years

Argentinean icon Lionel Messi is often regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, alongside legends like Diego Maradona, Pele, and Johan Cruyff. Spending over two decades in Europe, the 37-year-old predominantly played for Spanish club FC Barcelona.

Lionel Messi Copa
Lionel Messi is in USA, leading Argentina at 2024 Copa America. (via IMAGO)

Currently playing for MLS side Inter Miami, Messi is a record eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and a six-time European Golden Shoe winner. Spending his career at Barcelona, he secured 34 trophies, including ten La Liga titles, four UCLs, and seven Copa del Rey titles. He’s a prolific scorer, holding La Liga records for most goals (474), hat-tricks (36), and assists (192). He hopes to end his career at Inter Miami.

For the Argentinean national team, Messi led them to the 2022 FIFA World Cup and 2021 Copa America victories, cementing his status as a national legend. Additionally, he holds the record for the most caps and goals scored for Argentina.

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