Lionel Messi: Inter Miami star gets hat-trick against Newell's Old Boys on his 36th birthday

Messi will return to Argentina for a friendly against Newell's Old Boys. On his 36th birthday, Lionel Messi received a hero's welcome from 40,000 spectators at the Estadio Coloso Del Parque Marcelo Bielsa, the home of his childhood team, Newell's Old Boys. For the first time in 14 years, Messi returned to Rosario's Newell's Stadium to attend Maxi Rodriguez's testimonial as a former Argentina teammate. Messi was greeted with pyrotechnics, a happy birthday chant from the crowd, and other special touches.He went on to score a hat-trick in the first half, which included an excellent free-kick in the third minute. Messi, who just signed a contract with MLS team Inter Miami, displayed his heroics in style for the fans. Speaking to ESPN Argentina, Messi said, "It had been a long time since I had spent a birthday in Rosario, with my family and my friends. "When it's my turn to leave football, I'm going to remember and enjoy everything I've achieved much more." The Rosario crowd gave Messi a genuinely unforgettable greeting, and he made them happy by scoring goals, Messi, who first played in the Newell academy before going to Barcelona at the age of 13, added a second after 42 minutes, and ended up with a  hat-trick.