Lionel Messi turns 38 on Tuesday and the best to ever do it has gifted followers with some unimaginable feats on the pitch all through the years.
With the Inter Miami star’s birthday falling on June 24, he is typically on responsibility with Argentina throughout his large day. As such, a few of his greatest video games on the World Cup and Copa América occur round that date. And never all of them are the happiest of instances.
As we rejoice one more yr of Messi, let’s look again at his most memorable birthday moments:
2006: World Cup (Germany)
Age: 19
What a approach to rejoice your nineteenth birthday! Messi truly made his World Cup debut as an 18-year-old phenom in a gaggle stage sport in opposition to Serbia & Montenegro on June 16, scoring his first purpose ever on the event. However on the day he turned 19, Messi performed 36 minutes within the 2-1 win over Mexico within the Spherical of 16. Days later, he might solely watch as an unused sub as Argentina fell to Germany within the quarterfinals.
Sporting the quantity that coincided along with his age, Lionel Messi celebrated his birthday vs. Mexico on the 2006 World Cup. (Photograph by Clive Mason/Getty Photographs)
2010: World Cup (South Africa)
Age: 23
Not probably the most memorable summer season by way of performances. Showing in his second World Cup, Messi celebrated his birthday in between two Argentina wins. Coached by the late Diego Maradona, Argentina defeated Greece 2-0 in its final group stage sport two days earlier than Messi turned 23. Three days later, the Albiceleste beat Mexico within the Spherical of 16 to succeed in the quarterfinals. Messi had no objectives (the one World Cup by which he did not rating) through the event and Argentina had been bounced out by Germany as soon as once more.
From one ‘El Diez’ to a different. Argentina coach Diego Maradona appears on as Lionel Messi performs on the 2010 World Cup. (Photograph by Richard Heathcote/Getty Photographs)
2014: World Cup (Brazil)
Age: 27
Earlier than his third World Cup, Messi famously declared one want for his twenty seventh birthday – to lastly win all of it. So on the day earlier than his precise cumpleaños, Messi scored two objectives in opposition to Nigeria in a June 25 group stage win and it appeared his want would come to fruition. Alas, one other loss to Germany (this time within the precise last on July 14) ensured that his want would keep unfulfilled.
Lionel Messi walks previous the World Cup trophy after shedding the ultimate to Germany in 2014. (Photograph by Chengdu Financial Every day/VCG through Getty Photographs)
2015: Copa América (Chile)
Age: 28
A most tense birthday as Messi ready to show 28 and tackle Colombia on June 26 within the Copa América quarterfinals. Argentina wanted penalties to advance and finally reached the July 4 last in opposition to hosts Chile. However Messi’s luck ran out as Chile pulled off the upset and left him one other yr and not using a main trophy.
Lionel Messi’s trophyless streak with Argentina continued with the 2015 Copa América loss to Chile. (Photograph by JUAN MABROMATA/AFP through Getty Photographs)
2016: Copa América Centenario (USA)
Age: 29
Ever really feel like some birthdays are repeats of earlier ones? Little doubt this one did for Messi. Two days after turning 29, he and Argentina misplaced to Chile once more within the Copa America last on June 26 on penalties. Three years straight in a significant last, and three defeats. After the heartbreaker in East Rutherford, N.J., Messi introduced his retirement from worldwide responsibility. Fortunately, he would reverse his choice simply two months later in August.
Lionel Messi shocked the world when he retired from Argentina responsibility after the 2016 Copa America. Fortunately for the world, he got here again. (Photograph by NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP through Getty Photographs)
2018: World Cup (Russia)
Age: 31
One more disappointing birthday for Messi on the pitch. Simply days earlier than, Argentina had suffered a 3-0 loss to Croatia on June 21 – their heaviest defeat in a World Cup group stage sport since 1958. Extra regarding was the picture of Messi trying harassed and seemingly struggling a headache earlier than that sport. Then, two days after turning 31, Messi in higher spirits on the workforce’s 2-1 win over Nigeria – by which he scored his solely purpose of the event.
The load of one other World Cup seemingly affected Lionel Messi on the 2018 version in Russia. (Photograph by JOHANNES EISELE/AFP through Getty Photographs)
2021: Copa América (Brazil)
Age: 34
A birthday celebration worthy of a trophy! The 2020 version of the Copa América had been delayed after the COVID-19 pandemic and moved to Brazil. It was there that Messi, after turning 34 through the group-stage section of the event, guided Argentina to its first Copa trophy since 1993. And with Messi lastly claiming his first main piece of silverware with Argentina, it was a summer season to recollect.
Lionel Messi’s first main trophy with Argentina got here on the 2021 Copa América. (Photograph by Buda Mendes/Getty Photographs)
2024: Copa América (USA)
Age: 38
After profitable the World Cup through the winter of 2022 in Qatar, the following main event for Messi to rejoice along with his Argentina teammates was on the 2024 Copa América. With a number of ornate muffins adorned with sparklers and a duplicate World Cup trophy on the workforce’s resort in New Jersey, the Albiceleste had lots to rejoice on the captain’s thirty eighth birthday bash. Repeating as Copa América champions additionally did not damage the get together.
Lionel Messi enjoys some birthday celebrations on the 2024 Copa América. (Photograph by Gustavo Pagano/Getty Photographs)
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