Overview
- Messi turned 39 on Wednesday and marked the day with teammates at Argentina’s World Cup base in Kansas City as fans in Argentina and cities such as Kolkata staged coordinated tributes.
- Messi became the FIFA World Cup’s all-time leading scorer on Monday and has scored all five of Argentina’s tournament goals, helping the defending champions secure a place in the knockout stage.
- Argentina players and staff presented Messi with a cake and personalised T-shirts bearing memories and messages, a public sign of the squad’s affection and the close dressing-room bond.
- Messi told reporters he will “continue for some time” as long as he can contribute and feel fit, while declining to commit to playing in the 2030 World Cup; his family has said his father is under medical observation.
- Messi’s week adds to a career already defined by eight Ballon d’Ors and a 2022 World Cup win, and Argentina will manage his minutes as they prepare to finish group play against Jordan on June 27 before the knockout rounds.