Messi scores hattrick in Newell’s Old Boys return

Argentine superstar Lionel Messi kept his word and went to Maxi Rodríguez's tribute match on Saturday.

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

The Inter Miami-bound star was given an outrageous welcome back to his first club Newell's Old Boys in hometown Rosario on Saturday night, scoring a wonder free kick in a testimonial match shortly after.

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.

Messi had a reception according to his figure with ecstatic crowds, fireworks and everything. the affection of dozens of famous guests.

After greeting so many old acquaintances in the locker room, Messi starred in an epic entrance to the field of play, where the crowd was delirious to see him and gave away a spectacular frame with fireworks and even happy birthday. Meanwhile, the new star of Inter Miami continued to hug and greet the invited figures. 

Of course, his free-kick magic was not long in coming and, playing for the Argentine National Team, he opened the account with a goal that way. And he also gave away pearls like seeing him share a team with Lionel Scaloni, in addition to the honoree of the night.

But Messi, who remained firm with the Albiceleste after several change windows, did not settle for just one goal and then contributed two more : one with an exquisite definition from above and another dominating the chest and finishing with his usual class, which that motivated an ingenious song from the people: "And now you see it, and now you see it, this is your house, you can come back".

"The truth is that a beautiful day to be here, the people who came, and the important thing is to accompany the Fiera, it is his day," said the star in dialogue with Star +. 

"It had been a long time since I had spent a birthday in Rosario with my family, my friends, it is the first to be world champion and it is also special, it is always special to be in Rosario. As I said at the time, it was our turn to be champions of the world but lots of impressive players passed behind who did many great things with the National Team, beyond the fact that they did not raise a cup, "he reviewed.

Regarding the affection of the public, Messi said: " It's always nice to come to Rosario, the people of Rosario, both Newell's and Central, have always been very affectionate with me beyond the colors. A little while ago we got what all of Argentina wanted with unity, with effort, with sacrifice and that is the most important thing, that we were given a beautiful thing for the whole country".