The world’s football icon Pele has sent a heartwarming message to Lionel Messi and Argentina following their 2022 FIFA World Cup triumph in Qatar.
Argentina defeated France 4-2 on penalties following their 3-3 draw after extra-time at Lusail Stadium on Sunday.
Messi, who scored a brace on the day, saw him finish the tournament with seven goals in his fifth World Cup participation for his country.
To put a cherry on top, Messi is now Argentina’s all-time leading World Cup goalscorer with 13 goals.
Brazilian legend Pele has since taken to social media to congratulate Messi and company after winning the World Cup for the first time since 1986.
Pele went on to say Messi’s success at the prestigious tournament was “his trajectory deserved” and would have pleased the late Diego Maradona, who passed on in November 2020 aged 60.
Messi’s stellar displays were rewarded with The Golden Ball, for the tournament’s best player.
PELE’S HEARTWARMING MESSAGE TO LIONEL MESSI AND CO.
“Congratulations Argentina! Certainly, Diego is smiling now,” Pele wrote on his official Instagram account.
“Today, football continues to tell its story, as always, in an enthralling way. Messi winning his first World Cup, as his trajectory deserved.”
PELE SYMPATHISES WITH KYLIAN MBAPPE
The 82-year-old legend also sent words of wisdom for PSG star man Kylian Mbappe, who scored a hat-trick in the final and walked away with the Golden Boot, the tournament’s top goalscorer with eight goals.
Mbappe’s hat-trick was the second hat-trick in the men’s World Cup final history, after Geoff Hurst’s 1966 hat-trick for England when they faced West Germany.
“My dear friend, Mbappe, scoring four goals in a final. What a gift it was to watch this spectacle to the future of our sport,” added Pele.
Meanwhile, Pele also congratulated the North African side Morocco for their good run in the tournament and he said: “And I couldn’t fail to congratulate Morocco for the incredible campaign. It’s great to see Africa shine.”
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