Lionel Messi scores first half HAT-TRICK in Maxi Rodriguez’s farewell game in Rosario hometown

Lionel Messi scored a first half hat-trick in a hometown appearance for an exhibition game paying tribute to his Argentina teammate Maxi Rodriguez.

Rodriguez is retiring from soccer and had a long list of Argentina greats make an appearance in the game at the Marcelo Bielsa stadium – none more so than Messi himself on his 36th birthday.

And the Inter Miami-bound star showed exactly why he is so revered in Argentina with a magnificent display for the 42,000 fans in attendance – he scored a first half hat-trick in the game that saw an Argentina team play club side Newell’s Old Boys.

The crowd even sang Messi ‘happy birthday’ and the superstar said after the game that it felt special to spend a birthday in Rosario, the city where he lived as a child before joining Barcelona’s soccer academy in his teenage years. 

Messi’s first goal was after only four minutes, when he whipped a stunning left-footed free kick into the top corner.

Lionel Messi scored a first half hat-trick in an exhibition game in Argentina on Saturday 

Messi was playing in the game in tribute to retiring ex-Argentina teammate Maxi Rodriguez

The crowd even sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to Messi – who was celebrating turning 36

He chipped the goalkeeper with a sublime finish for his second before hugging him as the ball bounced into the net. For his third, just before halftime, he controlled a high pass into the penalty area before steering the ball home. 

‘It had been a long time since I had spent a birthday in Rosario, with my family and my friends,’ Messi was quoted as saying by ESPN Argentina. 

Messi also spoke to the crowd about what it meant to win the World Cup at last year’s tournament in Qatar. 

It is the first to be a world champion, so it is also special. It is always special to be in Rosario. 

‘As I said at the time: it was our turn to be world champions, but behind us were millions of impressive players who did many great things with the National Team, beyond the fact that they did not raise a cup.’

In a hint to his upcoming Major League Soccer move, Messi added: ‘Although what we did is something special (winning the World Cup) and unique, the dream of every footballer… you’re thinking about what’s to come, more than what you did. 

‘When it’s my turn to leave football, I’m going to remember and enjoy everything I’ve achieved much more.’

Rodriguez is retiring at the age of 42, bringing the curtain down on his career at Messi’s boyhood club Newell’s Old Boys.

Messi was at the game to pay tribute to the retiring winger Maxi Rodriguez (left)

Rodriguez (center) had a number of Argentina stars on hand to celebrate his career 

He played in Europe for 10 years from 2002 until 2012, notably with Atletico Madrid and Liverpool before returning to Argentina. 

Meanwhile, Messi’s Miami team were thrashed 4-1 by Philadelphia Union in Major League Soccer on Saturday night. 

It leaves the team last in the Eastern Conference and raises genuine fears for the team reaching the playoffs, even with Messi joining.