The main focus in the match was on Messi, as he received a brilliant reception from fans, who also went bonkers after his free kick. In the fourth minute, Argentina received a free-kick from outside the box, and Messi simply placed it in the top-right corner. Such was the brilliance of the goal that Maxi couldn't help but smile in his testimonial match.

Lionel Messi was in hot form on his 36th birthday, scoring a brilliant hattrick in Maxi Rodriguez' testimonial match on Saturday. The testimonial match saw Argentina take on Newell's Old Boys, and it also included the likes of Lionel Scaloni and former player Sergio Aguero. It was an emotional return for Messi, as he had started his career with Newell's.

Lionel Messi, Argentina world cup winning star, played a match for his club from yesteryears Newell’s Old Boys on Saturday night and scored a brilliant hattrick.

Former Liverpool winger Maxi Rodriguez, who retired from playing football in 2021 after his third spell with Newell’s Old Boys, had invited Messi and former Argentine teammate Sergio Aguero to play in his testimonial game on June 24.

Newell’s Old Boys club gave their boyhood hero a stunning welcome and put up banner of support for their country’s captain.

Messi marked the occasion with a stunning hattrick and also received a standing ovation at the farewell party.

In a pitchside interview Messi noted that it was his first birthday as a world champion and that it is “always beautiful” to be back in Rosario where the people were always “so affecionate” with him.

Messi will officially join Inter Miami on July 1 and then is likely to make his debut on July 21.