local
Lionel Messi celebrates his 39th birthday with Argentina teammates during a joyful World Cup
By DÉBORA REY at KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS)
· 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 Midland
For Midland residents who are soccer fans, Lionel Messi's birthday celebration during the World Cup is a reminder that even global sports events can have local connections. The fact that Messi's teammates presented him with a cake from Pan Caliente, a Kansas City bakery owned by an Argentine pastry chef, shows how international events can intersect with local businesses. As the Permian Basin area continues to grow and diversify, it's possible that local businesses and organizations could host or participate in international events, bringing global attention to the region. Meanwhile, local soccer enthusiasts can appreciate Messi's achievements and celebrate his birthday alongside fans around the world, including the 5,000 kids in Rosario who sang "Happy Birthday" to the legendary player. As the World Cup continues, Midland residents can watch for more exciting matches and local connections to the global soccer community.
About this story
Original reporting by KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) . The Midland 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 KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 25, 2026 ·
Source: KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) ·
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 KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) and curated for The Midland readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by DÉBORA REY at KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS). To learn more about how The Midland selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Midland, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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