Lionel Messi has spoken about winning the World Cup with Argentina.
Messi is a World Cup winner. Lionel Messi, like Daniel Passarella and Diego Maradona before him, has captained and lifted the World Cup trophy as captain of the Argentina national team. Speaking to the media after winning the World Cup, here is what Messi had to say:
“It’s crazy that it happened this way. I wanted it very much. I knew that God was going to give it to me. Now to enjoy it.
“Look at this cup, it’s beautiful. We suffered a lot but we made it. We can’t wait to be in Argentina and to see how crazy it’s going to be.
“This was the trophy I have wanted all of my life. This was my dream since childhood.”
He also spoke with Gastón Edul of TyC Sports about his future:
“I am not retiring from the Argentina national team. I want to continue playing as a champion.”
Lionel Messi has been named as the Best Player at the 2022 World Cup.
Messi has now scored two goals in a World Cup final, won the Best Player twice and lifted the trophy. An incredible career has just gotten the icing on the cake with the cherry on top.
The Argentine would score seven goals, while also scoring in every knock out stage match at the World Cup. Two goals in the final and one in the penalty shootout to go along with his incredible assists and overall play.
A completely deserved award. Congratulations to Lionel Messi.
Enzo Fernández has won the FIFA World Cup Young Player award.
Fernández was the revelation of the tournament. The 21 year old was not part of the original starting eleven in the first match but became a starter as the tournament went on and was an undisputed name in the starting eleven.
Emiliano Dibu Martinez has been named as the goalkeeper of the tournament, winning the World Cup Golden Glove.
Martinez made several crucial saves for Argentina throughout the tournament, including saves in a penalty shootout vs. Netherlands in the quarter finals. Having kept a clean sheet in the semi finals, Martinez made his biggest save in the 120 minutes of the final at the 120th minute.
A one on one for Randal Kolo Muani but Emiliano Martinez would make a massive save as the match went to penalty kicks. Martinez would make one save and France would miss another in the penalty shootout as Argentina won the World Cup!
In what was arguably the best World Cup final of all time, Lionel Messi and Argentina lifted football’s biggest prize. It was a dream start for Argentina.
Angel Di Maria would get fouled in the penalty area and Argentina would be awarded a penalty kick. Up stepped Lionel Messi and he would make no mistake scoring. Lionel Messi had now scored in a World Cup final.
Angel Di Maria wasn’t done. A great counter attack started by Lionel Messi and it would fall to Alexis Mac Allister. He would square it to Angel Di Maria who would score to make it 2-0 for Argentina.
But the dream start, slowly started to look like a nightmare. Despite holding a 2-0 lead for 80 minutes, it was a penalty by Nicolas Otamendi which gave France a life line. Mbappe would score the penalty and 90 seconds later, would score France’s second goal of the match.
It was now 2-2 and going into extra time. France continued to press but a shot by Lautaro Martinez was saved by Hugo Lloris but Lionel Messi would get to the rebound and score. It was now 3-2 Argentina with minutes left in extra time.
A corner kick by France and a shot into the penalty area touched Gonzalo Montiel’s arm and France were awarded another penalty. Mbappe would score and we were off to penalty kicks.
France were up first with Mbappe who would score. Lionel Messi was up for Argentina and he would score. But just like every penalty shootout with Emiliano Martinez, he would be the difference.
Emiliano Martinez would save Kingsley Coman’s effort and Dybala would convert his to make it 2-1 for Argentina. Aurelien Tchouameni was up next and he missed his penalty. Leandro Paredes would score and it was 3-1 for Argentina.
Randal Kolo Muani had to score and he did. The pressure was now on Gonzalo Montiel. And with his kick of the ball, he would score and Argentina were crowned World champions.
Tears flowing, hugs, kisses, celebrations. Argentina now have a third star on their shirt.
