Lionel Messi's birthday party - in a Russian village field

The superstar turned 31 and locals where the Argentina World Cup team are based made the most of it

Visitors and children crowd around a birthday cake that includes a statue depicting Lionel Messi during a party organided by the town of Bronnitsy. AFP

Local villagers of Bronnitsy gather to celebrate Lionel Messi's 31st birthday. Getty

Children wait for cake at a celebration to mark Lionel Messi's birthday near Argentina's training camp base at the 2018 World Cup in Bronnitsy, Russia. AP

The hostess shows off a piece of Lionel Messi's cake. Argentina fans and local villagers of Bronnitsy gathered to celebrate Lionel Messi's 31st birthday. Getty

People attend the party organised by the village of Bronnitsy, where Argentina's base camp is located, near Moscow, Russia, to celebrate the birthday of Argentine forward Lionel Messi. AFP

The mayor of Bronnitsy helps a boy cut a cake to mark Lionel Messi's birthday. AP

People attend the party organised by the town of Bronnitsy, the location of Argentina's base camp, near Moscow. AFP

Villagers gather to celebrate Lionel Messi's 31st birthday in Bronnitsy, Russia. Getty

Villagers of Bronnitsy perform at the Lionel Messi birthday party. Getty

Villagers of Bronnitsy gather to celebrate Lionel Messi's 31st birthday. Getty

Villagers of Bronnitsy gather to celebrate Lionel Messi's 31st birthday. Getty

A worker prepares to unveil a birthday cake including a statue depicting Lionel Messi. AFP

A birthday cake including a statue depicting Lionel Messi is seen during a party organised by the village of Bronnitsy. AFP

A girl with a painted face poses as she attends a party organised by the village of Bronnitsy. AFP

People attend the party to mark Lionel Messi's birthday near the Argentina training camp base at the 2018 World Cup in Bronnitsy, Russia. AP

Children wait at a celebration to mark Lionel Messi's birthday near Argentina's training camp base. AP

Lionel Messi hasn't much to cheer about recently.

First, he missed a penalty in Argentina's opening World Cup fixture as his side were held by Iceland. Then they were humbled 3-0 by Croatia and face the prospect of an early trip home unless they beat Nigeria tomorrow.

So he could be excused for not feeling too cheery when he turned 31 on Sunday.

But that didn't stop residents of Bronnitsy, a small town outside of Moscow where the Argentina side is based, celebrating the day as if he was one of their own.

Residents young and old packed a local park and enjoyed musical performances, face painting and – literally the icing on the cake – a life-size chocolate sculpture of the superstar that was cut by the mayor before the crowds queued up with plastic plates for a slice of their new hero.

A team of five workers at Moscow's Altufyevo Confectionery worked for nearly a week to carve the sculpture in 60 kilograms of chocolate, according to Reuters.

Away from the surreal scenes in Bronnitsy, Messi was sent birthday wishes, via Instagram, by his wife, Antonella Roccuzzo, who is back in Argentina. And he and his teammates will be hoping there is further reason for celebration after their crucial Group D clash.

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