Brazil great Pele
Doha: Brazil great Pele sent congratulations to Argentina after their breathtaking World Cup final victory, describing Lionel Messi’s success as the moment “his trajectory deserved”.
Pele, confined to hospital recently, has been attentive to events at Qatar 2022 and said Argentina’s trophy win would have delighted the late Diego Maradona.
The big moment for 35-year-old Messi means he finally has a World Cup victory to his name, matching compatriot Maradona who was the driving force behind Argentina’s Mexico 86 triumph. Maradona died in November 2020 at the age of 60.
“Congratulations Argentina! Certainly Diego is smiling now,” Pele wrote on Instagram.
There was sympathy from 82-year-old Pele for Kylian Mbappe, who finished on the losing side despite scoring two penalties and a stunning volley to complete only the second hat-trick in a men’s World Cup final, after Geoff Hurst’s 1966 treble for England against West Germany.
Mbappe also scored against Croatia in France's victory in the 2018 World Cup final.
"My dear friend, Mbappé, scoring four goals in a final. What a gift it was to watch this spectacle to the future of our sport. And I couldn't fail to congratulate Morocco for the incredible campaign. It's great to see Africa shine.
Argentina lifted the trophy after a 3-3 draw on Sunday, winning the penalty shoot-out 4-2 after misses from Kingsley Coman and Aurelien Tchouameni.
Messi scored twice in a classic match before both he and Paris Saint-Germain team-mate Mbappe converted penalties at the beginning of the shoot-out.
The Golden Ball, for the tournament’s best player, went to Messi for a second time, while Mbappe finished as top scorer with eight goals, earning the Golden Boot.
Mac Allister: Messi best player in history
Meanwhile, Argentina midfielder Alexis Mac Allister hailed Messi’s influence as the decisive factor in his nation’s FIFA World Cup triumph, labelling his side’s captain as “the best of all-time”.
Messi became the first player in history to win two Golden Ball awards as he spearheaded Argentina’s glorious Qatar 2022 campaign.
Argentina midfielder Alexis Mac Allister hailed Lionel Messi’s influence as the decisive factor in his nation’s FIFA World Cup™ triumph, labelling his side’s captain as “the best of all-time”.
Messi became the first player in history to win two Golden Ball awards as he spearheaded Argentina’s glorious Qatar 2022 campaign.
The Paris St Germain forward scored seven goals and provided three assists on his way to captaining Argentina to a third World Cup success. Two of Messi’s strikes came in their breathtaking 3-3 draw with France in the Final while he also scored in the shootout which Argentina won 4-2.
Mac Allister was one of the standout performers in the final and served up the pass from which Angel Di Maria struck Argentina’s second goal in a flowing team move.
The 23-year-old midfielder’s relentless energy and competitive spirit typified Argentina’s approach, but when asked to highlight the key reason why La Albiceleste became world champions, Mac Allister said: “It’s always Messi.
“I think he’s the best player in the world, the best player of all-time. He is amazing, he is a really nice guy, he is humble.
“He has everything to be the best player in history. It’s amazing to share a dressing room with him and I’m very grateful.”
“Amazing” Martinez
Mac Allister also reserved special praise for Emiliano Martinez, who won the Golden Glove prize for the tournament’s best goalkeeper.
Martinez made a vital intervention in the dying moments of extra-time in the final, spectacularly saving from France forward Randal Kolo Muani to send the game to penalties. He then kept out Kingsley Coman’s spot-kick to set up Argentina’s shootout victory.
“Emi did really well, he is an amazing keeper,” Mac Allister added.
“He helped us a lot during this tournament. I’m really pleased for him and really pleased for this country and for this team.”
