There was a certain air of inevitability about Lionel Messi winning the World Cup, with the only real surprise that he barely shed a tear.
Unlike much of his country and teammates who’d just ended a 36-year run without the biggest trophy in football, Messi was sheer joy instead of emotion after defeating France.
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Dropping to his knees as Gonzalo Montiel’s penalty decided the match following an astonishing 3-3 epic at the Lusail Stadium, the Paris Saint-Germain forward couldn’t stop beaming.
And after finishing selfies on the pitch with the likes of Argentina and Inter legend Javier Zanetti, Messi finally took the trophy into the changing room and up onto a table.
Dancing round with the squad singing, Messi led the charge much like he has on the pitch with goals in every single stage of the competition.
And at the celebration’s heart was goalkeeper Emi Martinez.
In the changing room celebrations, a conga saw the players singing aa minute’s silence for’, then leaving a gap for Martinez to yell: “For Mbappe who is dead!”
It appeared to be in response to the France striker believing European teams had a better chance of winning the World Cup.
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“The advantage we have in Europe is that we play among ourselves with high-level matches all the time, such as the Nations League,” he said.
“When we arrive at the World Cup, we are ready, whereas Brazil and Argentina do not have this level in South America. Football is not as advanced as in Europe. That’s why at the last World Cups, it’s always the Europeans who win.”
Back on the pitch, though, manager Lionel Scaloni was far more overawed at full-time, collapsing on the floor, before blubbering into tears as Leandro Parades hugged him.
He then danced with his children on the pitch, while Brighton’s Alexis Mac Allister celebrated with his family who have become iconic throughout the tournament – did you know his brother is called Kevin? He definitely wasn’t left Home Alone for this one, however.
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His father, Carlos Javier Mac Allister, also played for Argentina, and alongside Diego Maradona.
Among the heart-warming scenes at full-time one may endure more than any other, with Messi’s great friend Sergio Aguero running on the pitch to celebrate as soon as the game was over.
The Manchester City legend would have surely been in Scaloni’s squad had he not been forced to retire with heart issues last year, but he still was part of the glee as he carried Messi around on his shoulders – wearing full kit.
And back in Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina, the scenes were just as jubilant, as flags, fans and flares lined the streets to see a third star placed above their crest.
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The square was flooded by expectant supporters, while in Messi’s hometown of Rosario, things were just as jubilant where blue and white pride was in abundance – there was even a man galloping excitedly down a main street on horseback.
And expect celebrations to continue long into the night and into Christmas.
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