Messi celebrates 27th birthday today

RIO DE JANEIRO: Argentine superstar Lionel Messi will celebrate his 27th birthday on Tuesday June 24.

Messi was born in Rosario, Santa Fe Province, to parents Jorge Horácio Messi, a factory steel worker, and Celia María Cuccittini, a part-time cleaner.

Messi thought to be one off the most gifted players to have played the game has turned football into a beautiful art with his brilliant footwork, lightening pace and the ability to score goals at will.