PICTURE EXCLUSIVE: Messi is mobbed by bikini-clad fans while on holiday

He is widely regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time.

And Lionel Messi was a man in demand as he was mobbed by fans on the beach while on holiday in Formentera in Spain.

The Argentina captain, 35, was joined by fellow footballers Luis Suarez and Cesc Fabregas on the trip.

Lionel appeared in good spirits as he was surrounded by fans who took photos and received hugs from the star.

The footballer chatted to several bikini-clad beach goers as he soaked up the sun on the Spanish island.

Lionel cut a casual figure for the outing as he sported a black vest top and a pair of red shorts.

The athlete showed off his chiselled physique as he went shirtless while on a boat trip with his pals and their children.

Lionel and the group were spotted diving into the water and going for a swim as they made the most of their sun-kissed trip.

The footballer, who has been enjoying a European holiday for the last few weeks, also went for a trip on a dingy with his pals.

Lionel was also joined by his wife Antonela Roccuzzo on the trip along with their children Thiago, 9, Mateo, 6, and Ciro, 4.

It comes after more than 5,000 schoolchildren sang 'Happy Birthday' to Lionel on Saturday in his native city as he celebrated on a private island with his wife and friends including former Barcelona team-mate Luis.

Youngsters from a youth orchestra in the Argentinian city of Rosario led the way with the stunning birthday tribute at the iconic National Flag Memorial near the shore of the Parana River.

The breathtaking accolade was televised on local TV, forming part of a new chapter of a programme called Mundo Leo which is dedicated to the soccer star.

Former Liverpool winger Maxi Rodriguez was among those who appeared on screen to wish Lionel a happy 35th birthday before the children made their voices heard with their emotion-charged display.

The Paris Saint-Germain star turned 35 on Friday, in Sa Ferradura just off the north coast of Ibiza and celebrated with friends including Suarez and former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder Cesc and their partners.

Lionel, his wife Antonela  and their three children had been staying in a six-bed £250,000-a-week mansion on the island with Fabregas and wife Daniella Semaan.

Around the same time as the 'Happy Birthday' tribute in Rosario for the seven-times Ballon d'Or winner, the PSG star was enjoying evening drinks with his footballer friends and their partners.

His family trip to Ibiza came a fortnight after he holidayed at his mansion near his native city after international duty including a Wembley Stadium showdown between Euro 2020 winners Italy and Copa America 2021 champions Argentina which the South Americans won 3-0.

Lionel's Mediterranean holiday is expected to be his last before he returns to Paris to prepare for the coming season, which will be interrupted by the Qatar World Cup where he will be striving to win the elusive medal missing from his trophy cabinet.