Lionel Messi being surprised by Argentina's much loved chef after winning the World Cup was so wholesome

Lionel Messi was surprised by Argentina's much-loved chef on the pitch after finally becoming a world champion.

Argentina won the World Cup for the third time after beating France on penalties in an enthralling final at the Lusail Stadium.

Messi scored twice and PSG teammate Kylian Mbappe became the first player to score a World Cup final hat-trick in the 3-3 draw.

Argentina were 2-0 up and cruising until the 80th minute when Mbappe converted a penalty and equalised directly after with a stunning volleyed finish.

Messi put Argentina back in the lead in extra time but Mbappe levelled again in the dying embers with another spot-kick that took it to penalties.

Argentina prevailed 4-2 in the shoot-out, with Gonzalo Montiel scoring the decisive strike from 12 yards.

Messi, who became the ninth player to win the Champions League, Ballon d'Or and World Cup, sunk to his knees in utter euphoria.

As the celebrations were ramped up ahead of the trophy lift, Messi was stood on his own for a brief moment when a woman rushed towards him.

A security man looked concerned at first and wondered if Messi was being ambushed by a pitch invader.

It wasn't the case however, as according to Argentinian news outlet Clarin, Messi was in fact hugging the national team's long-time chef, Antonia.

The two then shared a warm, emotional embrace. The joy and pride on display is just wonderful. Messi's wife, Antonella Roccuzzo, and three sons Thiago, Mateo and Ciro were soon on the pitch and celebrating the special triumph.

One person he hasn't best-pleased to see, however, was viral celebrity chef Salt Bae, real name Nusret Gökçe.

Somehow, the Turkish cook managed to make his way onto the turf afterwards and tapped Messi twice in an attempt to get a picture.

Messi did initially pie Salt Bae and looked far from happy, but he eventually got his snap - and even secured a picture with the World Cup trophy.

Messi, who was controversially made to wear a traditional cloak for the eagerly-anticipated trophy lift, has confirmed he will not be retiring from international football.

“No, I’m not going to retire from the national team," he told reporters.

“I want to keep playing as World Cup champions in the Argentina shirt.”