Lionel Messi has paid tribute to the late, great Diego Maradona following Argentina's stunning World Cup triumph.
Messi, 35, inspired Argentina to their first world title in 36 years after Lionel Scaloni's side dethroned France on penalties at the Lusail Stadium. Messi, who scored twice in the 3-3 draw, had confirmed during the tournament that he was unlikely to play in another World Cup: meaning he had one final chance to claim the trophy that has eluded him since his international bow back in 2005.
The Paris Saint-Germain superstar is considered by many to be the finest player of his generation and has even drawn comparisons to the illustrious Maradona, who was instrumental during Argentina's last World Cup win back in 1986.
And in an emotional social media post, Messi paid tribute to the Argentina icon, who passed away in November 2020.
Messi wrote on Instagram : "From Grandoli to the Qatar World Cup took almost 30 years. It was close to three decades when the ball gave me many joys and also some sorrows. I always had a dream of being a World Champion and I didn't want to stop trying, even knowing that maybe I would never give up.
"This Cup we got is also from all those who did not make it in the previous World Cups we played, like in 2014 in Brazil, where they all deserved it for how they fought until the same final, worked hard and wanted it as much as I did... And we deserved it even in that damn ending.
Join the debate! Do you think that Messi is the greatest of all-time after his World Cup win? Let us know here.
"It's also from Diego who encouraged us from heaven. And of all those who spent the time always benching the National Team without looking so much at the result but the desire we always put into it, also when things didn't go as we wanted.
"And of course, it's from all this beautiful group that was formed and of the technical team and all the people of the national team who, being anonymous, work day and night to make it easier for us. Many times failure is part of the journey and learning and without the disappointments it is impossible for success to come.
"Thank you very much from my heart! Let's go Argentina!!!"
After alluding to the fact that he was unlikely to feature at the 2026 World Cup, there had been speculation that Messi would retire from international duty completely after the tournament - regardless of the outcome.
But the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner scotched rumours that he was poised to remove himself from the international fold. An emotional Messi said after Sunday's final: “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.”
