Ouagadougou: The world of football, with Fifa in the lead, on Monday wished a ‘happy birthday’, his 37th, to Lionel Messi, one of its most illustrious representatives who dreams of winning the Copa America at the beginning of July with Argentina, two years after their world title. The world body used its social networks to publish videos of the eight-time Ballon d’Or during the World Cups in Germany-2006, in South Africa. South-2010, Brazil-2014, Russia-2018 and Qatar-2022.
‘I would like to wish a very happy birthday to Lionel Messi, captain of the world champion team and incredible player,’ wrote FIFA President Gianni Infantino. You are someone who makes the world dream of your greatness. Keep doing it forever and inspiring everyone to play and enjoy our beautiful game.’
The hashtags #messibirthday and #cumplemessi have taken the internet by storm. The Argentine Football Federation (AFA) has soberly published ‘One more year to celebrate with the Albiceleste’: Happy birthday, captain’. A message accompanied
by several photos of Messi’s most memorable moments with Argentina.
During the Copa America played this year in the United States, the man with 57 individual distinctions became the most capped player in the history of the continental tournament by reaching 35 caps during the opening match against Canada.
The number 10 shared this honor with Chilean goalkeeper Sergio Livingstone (34 appearances) since the final of the Copa America Brazil-2021, where the Albiceleste were crowned champions.
The previous edition could also allow the Argentine star to set another record: becoming the top scorer in the history of this competition.
The Brazilian Zizinho and the Argentinian Norberto Mendez share this record with 17 goals each. Messi has 13 goals. But even at 37, nothing seems impossible for Pulga. He potentially has five matches left to achieve this.
Argentina, victorious over Canada (2-0) on Friday in the opening match, must face Chile on Wednesday and Peru on Sunday before the quarter-finals at the start of J
uly.
Source: Burkina Information Agency