Watch: Lionel Messi marks Thirty sixth birthday with gorgeous free-kick | Soccer News
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Lionel Messi was in scorching kind on his Thirty sixth birthday, scoring an excellent hattrick in Maxi Rodriguez' testimonial match on Saturday (June 24). The testimonial match noticed Argentina tackle Newell's Outdated Boys, and it additionally included the likes of Lionel Scaloni and former participant Sergio Aguero. It was an emotional return for Messi, as he had began his profession with Newell's.
The principle focus within the match was on Messi, as he obtained an excellent reception from followers, who additionally went bonkers after his free kick. Within the fourth minute, Argentina obtained a free-kick from exterior the field, and Messi merely positioned it within the top-right nook. Such was the brilliance of the purpose that Maxi could not assist however smile in his testimonial match.
Right here is the purpose:
After the match, Messi spoke about main Argentina to 2022 FIFA World Cup glory in Qatar in December. Talking to the media, he stated, “As I stated on the time: it was our flip to be world champions, however behind us had been hundreds of thousands of spectacular gamers who did many nice issues with the Nationwide Crew, past the truth that they didn't elevate a cup.”
Talking about his retirement plans, he added, “Though what we did is one thing particular (profitable the World Cup) and distinctive, the dream of each footballer... you are fascinated with what's to return, greater than what you probably did. When it is my flip to depart soccer, I'll keep in mind and luxuriate in every thing I've achieved rather more.”
He left PSG after the 2022-23 Ligue 1 season as a free agent and signed a cope with MLS facet Inter Miami. He had an unceremonious exit from Paris as PSG followers jeered him in his remaining fixture for the membership.
Messi led Argentina to a penalty shootout victory in opposition to France within the remaining, on the Lusail Stadium in Qatar. In what turned out to be a tightly-contested remaining, Argentina took the lead within the Twenty third-minute, with Messi changing a penalty after Angel Di Maria was fouled within the field by Ousmane Dembele.
Then a fast counter within the Thirty sixth-minute noticed Messi flick a ball previous his marker to select Alexis Mac Allister's run. The Brighton midfielder surged into the field, earlier than squaring it to Di Maria, who beat a dashing Lloris with a backside nook end to make it 2-0 for Argentina.
It appeared like Argentina had been cruising to a simple win, however Kylian Mbappe had different plans and introduced France again into the sport with two targets in 97 seconds. Within the Eightieth-minute, the PSG star transformed a penalty to make it 1-2 after Kolo Muani was introduced down within the Argentine field. Then the 23-year-old made it 2-2 with a shocking volley within the 81st-minute.
The match entered extra-time and either side started to search for a winner and it appeared like Messi discovered it for Argentina. The veteran tapped it in after a deflection off Hugo Lloris to make it 3-2, after a fast VAR test dominated in his favour within the 108th-minute. However Mbappe as soon as once more got here to his facet's rescue within the 118th-minute, changing one other penalty within the 118th-minute after Gonzalo Montiel noticed a shot by the Frenchman hit his arm.
After Mbappe's hat-trick, the rating learn 3-3 and it entered the penalty shootout. Throughout the shootout, goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez got here out on high with gorgeous saves to dam Aurelien Tchouameni and Kingsley Coman's efforts. Gonzalo Montiel transformed the profitable penalty as Argentina received 4-2 within the shootout. For his performances within the event, he was additionally adjudged as the most effective participant.
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