“Counting these goals if Pele counts training goals”- Lionel Messi shocks fans with an amazing first-half hattrick on his 36th birthday
The player participated in the farewell match of Maxi Rodriguez.
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Lionel Messi scored a hattrick in the first half of Maxi Rodriguez's retirement match (Image Via-skynews)
Argentine maestro Lionel Messi gifted fans a brilliant first-half hattrick on his birthday as he took part in Maxi Rodriguez’s farewell game. Rodriguez retired from football at the age of 42 and had a large list of Argentina greats present for him in the game at the Marcelo Bielsa stadium. The most spectacular figure there was none other than Messi. It was his 36th birthday too.
The little magician received an incredible reception from almost 42,000 fans as he stepped foot in his hometown stadium on his birthday. He scored the first goal around the starting four minutes. For his second goal, Messi chipped the goalie with a superb finish before embracing him as the ball rolled into the net. As the third, he controlled a high pass into the penalty area before directing the ball home shortly before halftime.
After the match, Messi talked about how he felt about playing in his hometown after a long time on his birthday. He said, “It had been a long time since I had spent a birthday in Rosario, with my family and my friends. As I said at the time, it was our turn to be world champions. But behind us were millions of impressive players who did many great things with the National Team. It was beyond the fact that they did not raise a cup.”
Messi then concluded as he said, “Although what we did is something special winning the World Cup and unique, the dream of every footballer… you’re thinking about what’s to come, more than what you did. When it’s my turn to leave football, I’m going to remember and enjoy everything I’ve achieved much more.”
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Fans were stunned as Lionel Messi scored a first-half hattrick on his 36th birthday
Lionel Messi once again stunned the world with a first-half hattrick during the charity match for Maxi Rodriguez who retired at the age of 42. Messi stunned all the 42000 fans in the stadium and millions who were sitting in front of the television as he eased himself to score his first in the 4th minute of the game. He scored the other two before the referee blew the whistle for half-time.
The former FC Barcelona forward received a warm welcome to the stadium of his hometown Rosario on his birthday. Fans sang the ‘Happy Birthday song for him. Messi reportedly mentioned that it was all very special for him as he spent his birthday in Rosario after a long time. Fans were reportedly very excited to see the little magician perform his magic in the stadium. Many shared their feelings on social media. One fan wrote, “Better defense than the Saudi league.” Another fan wrote, “In my book, a hat trick in this match equals 30 goals in the camel league.” And a third fan wrote, “I’m counting these goals if Pele counts his training ones.”
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Supratim Banerjee
(312 Articles Published)