Lionel Messi received a heartfelt message from ex-Barcelona team-mate Luis Suarez having guided Argentina to World Cup glory at the expense of France.
Trailing by two goals with just over ten minutes to play, Les Blues produced a staggering Kylian Mbappe-inspired comeback to take the game to extra time and pegged Argentina back once more two minutes before penalties were on the agenda through a second Mbappe spot-kick of the contest.
Aurelien Tchouameni and Kingsley Coman both failed to score for France when a shootout eventually arrived, ensuring Messi's wait to become a World Cup winner was over.
The PSG forward was hoisted in the air by members of his team as the celebrations began on the pitch for La Albiceleste, with plenty of congratulatory wishes being shared online for the player who will surely go down as the greatest to grace the pitch. Former Liverpool striker Suarez was among those to reach out to the 35-year-old, tweeting: "Congratulations my friend! YOU ARE A CHAMPION OF THE WORLD. Let them say what they want, you are and will be the best."
Messi and Suarez enjoyed six seasons in each other's company at Camp Nou, claiming 13 major trophies and forming a prolific partnership within the final third of the pitch. The South American duo remain close friends off the pitch despite going separate ways in their careers and were pictured on holiday together last summer in Ibiza.
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