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Lionel Messi celebrates his 39th birthday with Argentina teammates during a joyful World Cup
By DÉBORA REY at KGNS — Sitewide
· June 25, 2026
· 2 min read
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Lionel Messi celebrated his 39th birthday on Wednesday during a World Cup that, at least for now, has brought him nothing but joy: Defending champion Argentina has already qualified for the knockout stage, and its captain has become the tournament’s career scoring leader.Messi ...
Key takeaway The exception was the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, which was played in November and December.
Why this matters in The Laredo
Laredo 's own soccer enthusiasts are likely keeping a close eye on the World Cup, and Lionel Messi's birthday celebration is a notable moment in the tournament. As Argentina advances to the knockout stage, local fans may be reflecting on the city's own rich soccer culture. With a strong presence of Hispanic and Latin American communities, Laredo has a deep appreciation for the sport, and many residents may be cheering on Messi and Argentina. The fact that Messi's birthday cake came from a Kansas City bakery owned by an Argentine pastry chef also highlights the connections between international communities and local businesses. As the World Cup continues, Laredoans may be gathering to watch matches and celebrate their favorite teams, making the tournament a vibrant and communal experience in the city.
About this story
Original reporting by KGNS — Sitewide . The Laredo surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KGNS — Sitewide . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 25, 2026 ·
Source: KGNS — Sitewide ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? MEXICO CITY (AP) — Lionel Messi celebrated his 39th birthday on Wednesday during a World Cup that, at least for now, has brought him nothing but joy: Defending champion Argentina has already qualified for the knockout stage, and its captain has become the tournament’s career scoring leader.Messi ...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 25, 2026 by KGNS — Sitewide and curated for The Laredo readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by DÉBORA REY at KGNS — Sitewide. To learn more about how The Laredo selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Laredo, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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