Featured Image Credit: Twitter
Topics: Lionel Messi, Argentina
Daniel Marland
Lionel Messi was very emotional while watching the 'most beautiful moment' of his football career back for the first time.
The 35-year-old has won a whopping 36 major honours in his career across spells with Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain.
Messi is also a seven-time Ballon d'Or winner, the most wins for a single player ever. He's got a lot in his trophy cabinet, putting it bluntly.
It'd be understandable if all the silverware blended into one. Messi didn't hesitate when discussing his favourite trophy of all.
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Back in 2021, he captained Argentina to Copa America glory after over a decade of failure with his national side.
Messi won the Golden Ball after registering four goals and five assists overall. Victory over Brazil in the final gave him his first trophy as an international, something that meant the world to him.
The usually-reserved Messi celebrated wildly inside the Maracana Stadium. Two months later, he broke down in tears after presenting the trophy at an Argentina home game for the first time.
Argentina's victory in the Copa America is the subject of a new Netflix documentary which, at the time of writing, isn't available in the United Kingdom. Messi is given the chance to relive that moment in the show, which he does with glee.
After seeing footage of fans chanting his name, the winger smiles before rubbing his eyes and admitting: "Wow. I think this was the most beautiful thing that happened to me in my sports career."
Fans have reacted to the footage and it's got them dreaming of Messi's reaction if he won the World Cup in Qatar next month.
One person said: "Nah man I've got tears in my eyes watching this."
Another commented: "If my country doesn't win the World Cup I want Argentina to for Messi."
A third tweeted: "I don't ever think I will ever adore someone as much as I do this man."
While someone put: "How can anyone hate this guy when he talks about football like this?"
Argentina start their World Cup campaign on November 22 against Saudi Arabia.
Lionel Scaloni's side are currently on a 34-match unbeaten run. They'll be in action one more time before the World Cup, against the United Arab Emirates in a friendly on November 16.
Messi has previously stated this year's tournament will be his final one as a player.
Do you think Argentina can win this year's World Cup? Let us know in the comments.