Lionel Messi‘s 37th birthday was celebrated by a massive crowd of fans on Monday, as Argentina supporters trekked out to the team’s hotel in New Jersey to serenade the star.
At the Hilton Hotel in Short Hills, Argentina supporters showed up in droves to wish the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner a happy birthday – and even brought a cake in Argentina colors for the occasion.
The usually-reserved Messi recognized the fans’ support by popping his head out of his window and waving to them.
He flashed a wide smile as Angel Di Maria and Rodrigo De Paul stood next to him.
On Instagram, Messi thanked fans for their well-wishes.
Lionel Messi popped his head out the window to see a swarm of fans serenading him
Fans went to Messi’s New Jersey hotel in droves – and even brought a special cake
Meanwhile, thousands of Argentina fans descended upon Times Square as well for Messi
‘Thank you so much for all the greetings and congratulations!!,’ he wrote. ‘Another year that coincides with my birthday being with the National Team… So celebrating a little bit more and we keep getting ready for our next game. Hugs!’
He held a cake alongside his Argentina teammates as they packed inside a hotel room.
Even miles away in New York City, Messi’s 37th was celebrated raucously as hordes of fans descended upon Times Square.
The fans waved Argentina flags and banged on drums a night before Argentina’s match in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
After beating Canada 2-0 in Atlanta, Argentina will face Chile in their second match with a chance to secure qualification to the knockouts.
Canada pushed Argentina for periods in the first game but the reigning world champions ultimately came out on top.
Messi thanked fans for their well-wishes on social media as he posed alongside his teammates
Messi was joined by Rodrigo De Paul and Angel Di Maria as he stuck his head out the window
Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez found the scoresheet for Argentina, with Messi assisting the latter’s goal.
Nonetheless, the Argentines weren’t all happy after the game as they complained about the playing conditions at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
‘Respectfully, thank goodness we won, because otherwise it would have been a cheap excuse to sit here and say this,’ their manager Lionel Scaloni fumed after the game.
‘We knew we were going to play here for seven months and they changed the grass two days ago. For the show it’s not good. I’m sorry.
They’ll hope the field is better at MetLife Stadium.