Lionel Messi rang in his 38th birthday with a lighthearted jab from his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, who took to Instagram to celebrate the football legend in her own cheeky way.
In a series of heartfelt and humorous photos shared on social media, Antonela lovingly referred to the Inter Miami star as a “grumpy old man,” while praising him as the “best dad, best partner, best everything.”
One of the standout moments from the post was Messi pictured grinning beside a custom-made Smurfs-themed birthday cake — a playful touch that had fans smiling across the globe.
“Happy birthday grumpy old man!” Antonela wrote. “How lucky we are to have you. We love you!”
While the celebratory mood dominated at home, Messi’s birthday coincided with a crucial phase in his Club World Cup campaign. The Argentine icon has been instrumental for Inter Miami, recently delivering a trademark free-kick that helped seal their place in the last 16 with a decisive victory over Porto.
By finishing second in Group B, Messi and Inter Miami are now set for a high-stakes encounter against European giants Paris Saint-Germain — the Argentine’s former club — in what promises to be one of the tournament’s most anticipated fixtures.
