For nearly two decades, Lionel Messi has captivated the international soccer community as the arguably greatest player of all time. After a certain point, some said he had achieved enough to stand alone above all the other legends of the game. To others, he still needed that elusive World Cup championship. That is no longer a gap in Messi’s resume.
After all the goals, incredible assists, and other titles, with Argentina’s win on penalty kicks over France in an instant classic 2022 World Cup Final — the legendary Messi can finally call himself a World Cup champion. And in his likely last World Cup game, too.
As Argentina celebrated its first Men’s World Cup championship since 1986, the man who took them there, Messi — the unquestioned Golden Ball winner for best player of the tournament — was understandably elated and relieved at climbing soccer’s highest mountain.
Just look at him celebrating this incredible moment with his kids:
Messi celebrates with his kids ❤️🥹 pic.twitter.com/v1HNg18oor
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) December 18, 2022
And what about this scene and powerful hug with his mom? Man, someone, please stop cutting onions:
— @_i24M الحساب الاساسي (@jo9M24) December 18, 2022
Lionel Messi has done it. He's completed football 🐐 pic.twitter.com/WpUoiQaQTE
— SPORTbible (@sportbible) December 18, 2022
How can you possibly not be happy for this legend? And to do it under such thrilling circumstances, where Argentina blew a late 2-0 lead and another late 3-2 lead in extra time … but still won in Messi’s last-ever World Cup game.
We saw an all-time classic unfold in the World Cup Final. And, perhaps more importantly, we saw an all-timer in Messi get the crown he’s been chasing his entire life.
Soccer fans loved seeing a joyful and relieved Messi celebrate finally winning the World Cup
Diego Maradona in 1986 and Lionel Messi in 2022 – the dream is complete 🇦🇷🐐🐐 #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/Adhx14oESG
— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) December 18, 2022
Lionel Messi 🤝 Diego Maradona
It has truly been a LONG JOURNEY! pic.twitter.com/GCN7qG6s26
— Usher Komugisha (@UsherKomugisha) December 18, 2022
Lionel Messi is a player we will never, ever see again. He is a magician and it’s a joy to watch him and he deserves that trophy.
— Leanne Prescott (@_lfcleanne) December 18, 2022
Lionel Messi. World cup champion. I can die a happy man.
— OGi 🐐 (@PSGOgi) December 18, 2022
A fairytale ending to the greatest story ever written. Very happy for him.
Lionel Messi 🐐🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/NhS3BGJ3Rc
— Tridev Gurung (@tridevgurung) December 18, 2022
The whole world is happy for Lionel Messi
❤️💜💛💙💖💚🤍🧡🤎❤️
— Pandji Pragiwaksono (@pandji) December 18, 2022
I can’t even begin to imagine the relief and emotion running through Lionel Messi right now.
Everything you’ve worked for in your life to get to that stage to lift the only trophy that’s evaded you.
Now, he gets to lift it. Really happy for him.
— Matt Santangelo (@Matt_Santangelo) December 18, 2022
Incredible World Cup final. Happy for Lionel Messi. He’s given the sport so much. One of the greatest athletes of all time.
— AJ Jakubec (@TheSuperAJ) December 18, 2022
bro, lionel messi. the greatest footballer that ever was, and ever will be. no one can compare, no one will ever compare. i am happy to have witnessed this in my lifetime.
— evreux saint croix 🇫🇷 (@kxIechi) December 18, 2022
What a storybook ending for Lionel Messi. SO WELL DESERVED!!!! So happy for all Argentina fans!!!!! Vamos Argentina! #WorldCupFinals
— Bianca Gonzalez (@iamsuperbianca) December 18, 2022
For as long as I’ve followed football, I’ve supported Barcelona and loved Lionel Messi.
Not only is he the greatest player of this generation, he’s the greatest player of all-time.
I cannot put into words how happy it makes me to see him finally win the World Cup.
— Joshua Jones (@joshuapsjones) December 18, 2022
So happy for Lionel Messi. He deserves this moment!
— Landon Oliver (@Landon3MR) December 18, 2022
I am so damn happy for Lionel Messi and Argentina 🇦🇷
— Rahhel (@rahhelwoldu) December 18, 2022
I'm so happy I was around when Lionel Messi, the greatest footballer of all time, got to lift the World Cup.
A generational moment.
— Aaron Smith (@DrawingsByAaron) December 18, 2022
I HAVE NEVER BEEN SO HAPPY FOR AN INDIVIDUAL PLAYER. LIONEL MESSI HAS COMPLETED FOOTBALL. pic.twitter.com/Zvj8TYlGUE
— Kieran Ray (@KRay1878) December 18, 2022
