Lionel Messi has finally got his hands on the World Cup trophy after leading Argentina to their dramatic final victory over France on Sunday.
Messi had already confirmed this would be his final ever game in the tournament – where he had starred across five editions – and he broke multiple records in the final, scoring twice in the match and also finding the net during the tense penalty shootout at the end of the game.
The superstar had already come agonisingly close to landing the trophy eight years ago but his nation were edged out in the showpiece by Germany. Messi’s pre-match team talk to his teammates ahead of that game has subsequently been documented, highlighting the importance of winning the trophy for the player.
Messi led Argentina to the Copa America title last year – their first major trophy in three decades – but the pain of missing out on the World Cup title had continued over the years as it had been the one trophy that had eluded him, until now.
Messi’s former international teammate Pablo Zabaleta explained on the documentary Messi , which aired on BBC Sport ahead of the tournament: “We all expected Leo to win everything with Argentina, there was so much pressure on him. He is not a person who likes to talk too much, but he said a few words before the final against Germany.
“As a leader of the team, you do not need to speak all the time. Everyone is different. As a leader, sometimes you do not need to speak too much but then there is a right moment to talk to someone, and that is the moment to say something and everyone listens.”
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Zabaleta continued: “Leo said ahead of the game: ‘Guys, we are in the World Cup final. No matter if we win or we lose, let us enjoy the game.’ That, coming from Leo, who has played in Champions League finals and is one of the greatest players in the world. He knew that day and that game was special – it was a dream for him being in the World Cup final.”
Zabaleta said, reflecting on the impact of losing the match: “If you win, you could say for the rest of your life that ‘I am a World Cup champion’. If you lose, it is like how long is it going to take you again to be in a World Cup final. That is why that day is like…uff.
“After the game, it was terrible. We were all crying like babies because we were so close.”
Messi has now finally added the trophy he has craved for so long to his collection on a night of glory which led to joyous celebrations. Speaking after the game, Messi said: “It’s simply unbelievable. I knew that God was going to give me the Cup, I was sure — it was a big joy for us.
“I had this big dream for a long time, I wanted to close my career with a World Cup. I can’t ask more than this.
“No, I’m not gonna retire from the national team. I want to keep playing as World Cup champions with the Argentina shirt.
“It’s crazy, it made you long for it, but it’s the most beautiful thing there is. It’s beautiful. I wanted it so badly. I had a feeling it was going to be this one… We suffered a lot but we got it,”
