Lionel Messi celebrated turning 36 years with a first-half hat-trick for Argentina in a friendly match on Sunday against Newells Old Boys.The match, which was a testimonial match for Messis former teammate Maxi Rodriguez, featured several superstars such as Messi, Angel Di Maria, and Martin Demichelis turning up for Argentina.La vuelta al Parque 🙌🏼🔟 Leo Messi y sus primeros momentos en el corazón del Coloso. pic.twitter.com/16SxjAftAS— Newells Old Boys (@Newells) June 25, 2023Fans treated to 12-goal thriller as Messi returns to home townThe fans who flocked to the Marcelo Bielsa Stadium in Rosario, Argentina, were treated to a dozen-goal spectacle. In the friendly match, Messis boyhood club Newells Old Boys beat his Argentina team 7-5. However, Messi was in fine form himself, scoring a first-half hat-trick, and was given a rousing reception by the local fans.Messis Hat-Trick vs Newells. pic.twitter.com/drJKgRx9sr— SB15460 (@SB15460) June 25, 2023His sublime performance included a stunning free-kick, which he scored with only three minutes on the clock.Messi buries a free-kick for Argentina against Newells after just 3 minutes at Maxi Rodríguezs testimonial 😮😱pic.twitter.com/0dfVyiytL0— Newells Old Boys – English (@Newells_en) June 24, 2023This is the first time Messi is taking the field against Newells Old Boys, where he began his career and scored more than 500 goals for the youth teams. However, a growth hormone deficiency meant he could never play for the clubs first team, and he later departed for FC Barcelona in Spain.Messi, who turned 36 on Saturday, spent his birthday in his home town and turned up to the match in honour of his retiring teammate and friend Maxi Rodriguez.Lionel Messi scored a first-half hat-trick on his birthday in Maxi Rodríguezs farewell game in his home town of Rosario 🤩📸 @NewellsEnglish pic.twitter.com/mHLZtVV1kr— 90min (@90min_Football) June 25, 2023Last hurrah in Argentina jersey for Lionel MessiLionel Messi recently sent shock waves across the footballing world by opting to sign for the American MLS outfit Inter Miami. This move demonstrates the willingness of the Little Magician to take it easy as his career winds down to its twilight, and there have even been talks of him retiring from the national team.Messi himself has said that the Qatar World Cup was his final one, and he will not play in the 2026 one. There have been talks of him taking a years sabbatical from the Albicelestes.Whatever happens, the boy from Rosario who scored more than a hundred goals for Argentina will go down in the history books as one of the games greats.
