The best wishes, however, came amid turmoil embroiling Sampaoli and the squad, which is on the brink of elimination from the World Cup in Russia.

The captain, who turned 31 on Sunday, arrived to the training field where Sampaoli was waiting to start the session. The coach greeted Messi, giving him a kiss on the cheek and a pat on the back.

But then there was no further contact between the two.

Argentina's football association was quick to deny media reports about the future of Sampaoli, who was strongly criticised for his tactical approach and the formation employed in Argentina's humiliating 3-0 loss to Croatia.

The reports claimed that Sampaoli would be dismissed and wouldn't take charge against Nigeria on Tuesday for the team's last Group D match.

Despite palpable tension between the players and the coach, Argentina's football association president Claudio Tapia indicated Sampaoli isn't going anywhere yet.

But he didn't clarify what would happen afterward since Sampaoli has a contract that runs through the World Cup in Qatar in 2022.

"You have seen the coach and the team training," Tapia told reporters.

"It's clear that what you are saying is a lie."

After the defeat to Croatia, forward Sergio Aguero responded to a reporter's question asking him about Sampaoli's post-match comments that the players hadn't adapted to his methods. Aguero, who is Messi's roommate at the training base, responded: "Sampaoli can say what he wants."

So far, this tournament has been a huge disappointment for Messi and Argentina, runners-up at the 2014 World Cup.

If there isn't a party going on at the moment within Argentina's training base in Bronnitsy, a town outside Moscow, there was certainly one happening outside.

Bronnitsy's mayor invited hundreds of people from the area to a symbolic birthday celebration for Messi.

There was a life-size cake of the star, replete with detail including his tattoos, and typical Russian dance and folk songs. The party-goers devoured the chocolate and strawberry cake, hardly leaving a crumb.

The merriment took place on a riverbank that separates the town from Argentina's training camp. Messi wasn't there. Instead, representatives from Argentina's delegation attended.

Perhaps news of the gala in Messi's honor will lift his spirits for what really counts: beating Nigeria.

Australian Associated Press