The football world is only just catching its breath following the immense World Cup final between Argentina and France.
Despite a Kylian Mbappe hat-trick for Didier Deschamps’ side, it was Lionel Messi who inspired the South American nation to their first World Cup victory in 36 years with a penalty shootout win after a thrilling 3-3 draw.
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It was also the night that the 35-year-old Paris Saint-Germain star placed the final piece of his jigsaw by winning the one major trophy that had so far eluded him.
To say that Argentina enjoyed their celebrations would be an understatement.
A famous football nation, the great and good of the Argentine game were out in force to celebrate such a huge achievement, joining in the celebrations of those involved in the team.
One man who was front and centre during the celebrations was Sergio Aguero.
The former Manchester City star no doubt would have been a part of Lionel Scaloni’s squad but was forced to retire due to a heart issue, however that didn’t stop him from puffing on a giant cigar in the Argentina dressing room.
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Argentina legend Javier Zanetti was also in attendance for the showpiece event and shared a selfie with the main him himself, Messi, during their post-match celebrations.
Another legend of the Argentine game is Gabriel Batistuta who also partook in the celebrations, however he managed to find time to break away from the crowd and pinch the famous net in which the penalty shootout victory was secured.
Diego Simeone is one Argentina great who wasn’t in attendance for the match, likely due to his continued role as head coach of Spanish giants Atletico Madrid.
However that didn’t stop him from posting a heartfelt tribute to the team on Instagram, which read: Thank you team. And I start this way because the World Cup was won by representing in the best way what it is to be all united, committed and showing with facts the feeling we all have for the Argentine national team.
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“They are lucky ones and entered the history of our country and our football! Thank you for giving a great joy to our beloved village.
“Enjoy it a lot because the Glory is only for the chosen and you are!!! And congratulations also to all those who joined from places not seen and are so important!”
Despite being someone who plays for South American rivals Uruguay, Luis Suarez found time to have a Facetime call with former Barcelona teammate Messi after the match in which the Argentine star showed off his new prized possession.
However, Suarez wasn’t the only non-Argentine player to share his admiration of the heights reached by Messi and his nation.
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Despite heading home in the quarter-finals due to a penalty shootout defeat to France, England’s stars were also full of admiration for Messi and the World Cup final as a whole which will no doubt go down in history.
Declan Rice took to Twitter with a series of posts that read: “This is ridiculous”, “Lionel Messi, the best ever” and “We will never see a player like Messi ever again.”
Jack Grealish also took to social media, saying: “Wow, what am I seeing”, while Chelsea defender Reece James posted: “Congratulations Argentina” with a clapping emoji after Messi and Mbappe’s names.
England legend Wayne Rooney also took to social media, writing: “What a game. For me the the best ever World Cup Final.
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“Great effort from France but congratulations goes to Argentina, a proper team effort.”
It was certainly a contest that will live long in the memory and will always be remembered as the night that Messi and Mbappe showed their absolute best in the grandest match of all.