Lionel Messi presented with birthday cake by Argentina team-mates as they gear up for crunch Nigeria clash

  • Lionel Messi was presented with a birthday cake by his team-mates on Sunday
  • The Argentina star celebrated turning 31 after taking part in a training session
  • Sergio Aguero wished Messi a happy birthday with a post on his Instagram
  • The 31-year-old also took time out to meet some of his team-mates' children
  • Argentina are gearing themselves up for their final group game against Nigeria 

At least Argentina are showing some kind of unity. Their players rallied together on Sunday to celebrate their star player Lionel Messi's 31st birthday.

Willy Caballero, who has so far endured a torrid World Cup, posted a picture of Messi blowing out the candles on the three birthday cakes he was presented by his team-mates.

His close friend, compatriot and team-mate Sergio Aguero also paid tribute to Messi by posting a picture of the two of them together and wishing him a happy birthday on his Instagram account.

Lionel Messi was presented with a birthday cake as he celebrated turning 31 on Sunday
The Argentina star also posed for a picture with Ever Banega's daughter

Lionel Messi was presented with a birthday cake and posed with Ever Banega's daughter

Messi took time out after training to meet Eduardo Salvio's son
The 31-year-old also posed for a snap with Di Maria's daughter on Sunday

Messi took time out after training to meet Eduardo Salvio's son (L) and Di Maria's daughter (R)

Aguero appeared to break rank after Argentina's embarrassing heavy defeat by Croatia this week, hitting out at boss Jorge Sampaoli, who had hauled him off early in the second half.


But the Manchester City striker, who is now set to be axed for their final group game against Nigeria, put his sorrows to one side as the Argentina squad celebrated Messi's special day.

The 31-year-old took some time out after training to meet some his team-mates' children, posing for snaps with Angel Di Maria's daughter, Eduardo Salvio's son and Ever Banega's daughter.

Sergio Aguero posted a snap of him with Messi and wished him a happy birthday on Instagram

Sergio Aguero posted a snap of him with Messi and wished him a happy birthday on Instagram

A life-size chocolate sculpture was unveiled at an event in Bronnitsy to mark Messi's 31st

A life-size chocolate sculpture was unveiled at an event in Bronnitsy to mark Messi's 31st

The Argentina star's birthday was also celebrated in Bronnitsy, where the team's base has been for the World Cup. A life-size chocolate sculpture was unveiled on Sunday at an event to mark his birthday.

Despite indulging in cake and wearing a smile again, Messi will undoubtedly be hurting inside after his side's underwhelming start to the tournament in Russia.

They face Nigeria at the Saint Petersburg Stadium on Tuesday, knowing that only a win and results going in their favour will stop them from falling at the first hurdle.

The Barcelona forward trained with his team-mates ahead of Nigeria clash on Sunday

The Barcelona forward trained with his team-mates ahead of Nigeria clash on Sunday

Messi and Argentina has underwhelmed at the World Cup and could go out at the group stage

Messi and Argentina has underwhelmed at the World Cup and could go out at the group stage

 

The comments below have not been moderated.

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

We are no longer accepting comments on this article.