Lionel Messi 's son Thiago has written a letter to his father as the Argentina captain bids to lead his country to victory over France in the World Cup final.
Messi suggested before the tournament that Qatar 2022 would "surely" be his last World Cup. He now has a chance to bow out on a high note by winning the tournament for the first time, having come desperately close in 2014 when the Albiceleste were beaten by Germany after extra-time.
The letter from Thiago, 10 was shared on social media by Messi's wife Antonela Roccuzzo. As well as talking about his father's quest for glory, it makes reference to Diego Maradona, who inspired Argentina to World Cup glory in 1986 and died aged 60 in 2020.