Juan Roman Riquelme was “grateful” that fellow Argentina legend Lionel Messi played in his farewell game on Sunday.

Lionel Messi has called his start at former club Paris Saint-Germain "very tough", dubbing two successive failed Champions League bids a "massive disappointment".

Messi scored a first half hat-trick in a hometown appearance for an exhibition game, paying tribute to his Argentina teammate Maxi Rodriguez.

Lionel Messi turns 36 today and marks a whole new chapter in life after the Argentine maverick went on to get hold of the trophy that long eluded him before exiting the centre-stage of club football.

World Cup winners Argentina beat a spirited Indonesia 2-0 in a lucrative friendly in Jakarta on Monday without global superstar Lionel Messi.

Australia said Wednesday they have maximum respect for Lionel Messi but will do everything they can to stop him when they meet Argentina in a Beijing friendly.

Messi, the Argentina captain, last week announced he would join the MLS side after reaching the end of his two-year deal with French giants Paris Saint-Germain.

Lionel Messi on Tuesday confirmed he "doesn't think" he will play at another World Cup in an interview with Chinese media, after the 35-year-old led Argentina to victory at last year's tournament in Qatar.

As Messi arrived in the country to lead his national team in this significant clash, he encountered a hurdle with the Chinese Border Police.

"He's not just an athlete, he's an artist," Liu told AFP on Monday. "He's given me more meaning in life and become a kind of belief for me."

Fans of football in the United States have gone into a frenzy since the announcement that Lionel Messi would be taking his talents to Inter Miami. The euphoria is something that has not been witnessed previously and is expected to usher in a new era of interest in the sport that is still growing in the nation.

The 35-year-old Messi will be following a well-trodden path of the greats of the 'Beautiful Game' by taking a lucrative pay day in football's less celebrated leagues.

Lionel Messi will sign for Major League Soccer side Inter Miami, the player said Wednesday in interviews with Spanish media, choosing the United States as his next destination over a Barcelona reunion or blockbuster deal to play in Saudi Arabia.

"Banzema has signed a contract for his transfer to Al-Ittihad for a three-year period starting next season," said the source.

Messi terrorised the Socceroos and scored a sublime goal in a 2-1 win in the last 16 at the World Cup in Qatar, before going on to lift the trophy.

World Cup winner Lionel Messi's entourage has reportedly halted talks with Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal as the Argentine looks set to rejoin Barcelona soon.

Lionel Messi is reportedly expected to sign for Saudi Club Al Hilal in a historic deal, with the club's officials currently in Paris, Saudi Gazette reported on Sunday.

Lionel Messi is leaving Paris Saint-Germain after their final match of the season on Saturday, the Ligue 1 champions said on social media.

Lionel Messi arrived in France to a hero's welcome, seen as the man who would deliver the Champions League for Paris Saint-Germain.

The game on June 15 at the 68,000-capacity Workers' Stadium is a rematch of Argentina and Australia's meeting in the last 16 of the Qatar World Cup.