Kolkata celebrates Messi's birthday

Kolkata, June 24 (IANS) A giant cake in the shape of a football field was cut as adoring young fans donning his number 10 jersey, celebrated the 28th birthday of Argentine soccer superstar Lionel Messi here Tuesday.

To shouts of "Messi", "Messi"," Happy birthday to you", the cake was cut in the presence of a large number of soccer buffs who clapped and prayed for the success of the talismanic striker and his side at the World Cup - now on around 15,000 kms away in Brazil.

The programme, organised by the Argentina Football Fan Club at the city's southern outskirts Gangulybagan, saw the presence of a large number of young boys - between eight to 12 years - as also several youths.

The cake - a green football field with Messi's name written as the icing and a ball at the centre and goal posts in the colours of the Argentine jersey - was placed amidst photos of the player.

"Three cheers for Argentina, hip hip hooray. We want Argentina to return home as winners from Brazil. We want Messi to score more goals than (Brazil's) Neymar and win both the golden boot and the golden ball," said a boy in his pre-teens.