Featured Image Credit: Infobae & Getty
Topics: Lionel Messi, Argentina, FIFA World Cup, France
Josh Lawless
Topics: Lionel Messi, Argentina, FIFA World Cup, France
Lionel Messi made a surprise admission about the 2022 World Cup final in Qatar, where he finally completed football.
Messi captained Argentina to a first triumph since 1986 back in December 2022, becoming the ninth player to win the World Cup, Champions League and Ballon d'Or.
The campaign started with a shock defeat to Saudi Arabia before Lionel Scaloni's side, led by their talisman, pulled it together and went on to beat France on penalties at the Lusail Stadium after a pulsating 3-3 draw.
Messi struck twice in the final, which Argentina won when Gonzalo Montiel rolled a spot-kick past Hugo Lloris after two France misses.
The two-time Player of the Tournament sunk to his knees in euphoria before getting his hands on the iconic Jules Rimet trophy and lifting it with pride.
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Although Messi has enjoyed some many huge victories and achievements, the World Cup win was undoubtedly his crowning moment.
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But oddly, Messi has not sat down to watch the game back. Speaking to Argentine TV channel Infobae ahead of the Copa America in June, Messi admitted: I haven't watched the World Cup final back yet."
Although Messi hasn't relived it, many fans have watched the classic game - which also featured a Kylian Mbappe hat-trick, countless times.
Though he is relying on his memory instead of footage of the victory, Messi has been reflecting on the "most beautiful" moment two years on.
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He took to Instagram to shared two pictures of him with the World Cup trophy while drinking mate and wished a "happy second anniversary" to everyone.
Messi wrote: "I love December and the Christmas season. Two years ago, it could have been a bitter final month of the year, but it ended up being the most beautiful one of my sports career."
"And now, every December, this memory comes back to me… Happy Second Anniversary to everyone!"
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Messi has captained Argentina to another Copa America triumph since and there are still hopes that he will represent La Albiceleste at one final World Cup at the 2026 showpiece in North America, where he currently plays with Inter Miami.
Assessing his chances, Messi said: "It depends on how I feel, how I am physically, and being realistic with myself."