BUENOS AIRES - Argentina erupted in a synchronized chorus of “Happy Birthday” for Lionel Messi as the football icon turned 39 during his historic World Cup run.
Under the hashtag #CumpleLEO, the Telefé television channel urged the nation to sing at 10 a.m. and 10 p.m., a nod to Messi’s fabled number 10 shirt. From schoolchildren to gym groups, Argentines gathered with flags and flooded social media with tributes. A car dealership worker posted: “Thank you for so much joy and for representing Argentina at the highest level. Happy birthday, champion!”
Fans converged on downtown Buenos Aires’ Obelisk. “I’ve been here since 6,” said 71-year-old Rubén Acosta. “Messi’s an alien, one of a kind.”
President Javier Milei also congratulated him on X, writing: “HAPPY BIRTHDAY L10NEL…!!! LET’S GO ARGENTINA DAMN IT…!!!”
Messi, an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, had become the World Cup’s all-time leading scorer days earlier, netting five goals in two matches. Coach Lionel Scaloni’s only birthday wish: “That he be happy.”