Lionel Messi Celebrates 39th Birthday Amid Record-Breaking World Cup Journey
Messi's Birthday Celebration During World Cup
The Argentina Football Association (AFA) recently showcased a glimpse of Lionel Messi's 39th birthday festivities, coinciding with the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2026. Celebrating his birthday on Wednesday, Messi embarks on a new chapter in his life.
This gesture from his teammates highlights the immense respect and admiration Messi holds within the squad. A photo shared on the team's official X account captured Messi alongside his teammates, all gathered around birthday cakes, marking what they referred to as the 'grand finale' of the celebration for the iconic footballer.
A Record-Breaking World Cup Performance
Born on June 24, 1987, in Rosario, Santa Fe, Messi continues to shine at the pinnacle of his career, playing a crucial role for Argentina in the 2026 World Cup. He has been instrumental in setting new records, further solidifying a legacy that resonates across generations.
So far, Messi has led Argentina to impressive victories in both of their matches, scoring all five goals. The team's World Cup journey began with a commanding 3-0 win against Algeria, where Messi netted a hat-trick. In their second match against Austria, he scored a record-breaking brace, securing a 2-0 victory for the defending champions.
Messi Becomes the All-Time Top Scorer
With his brace against Austria, Messi not only clinched the win for his team but also made history by becoming the all-time leading goalscorer in men's FIFA World Cup history, surpassing Germany's Miroslav Klose. He opened the scoring in the 38th minute, moving past Klose's previous record of 16 goals, and added another in stoppage time, bringing his total World Cup goals to 18, two ahead of the German legend.
New Milestones Achieved
At 39 years old, Messi has now scored in six consecutive World Cup matches, equaling the all-time record for consecutive goals in World Cup games, a feat shared with France's Just Fontaine and Brazil's Jairzinho. Additionally, he has set a new record for the most wins by a player in FIFA World Cup history, surpassing Miroslav Klose's previous tally of 17 victories with his 18th win in the tournament.