Football star Lionel Messi has declared that Argentina’s World Cup triumph against France was a gift from God.
He told journalists in Qatar after the final in the Lusail stadium – which has been hailed the greatest ever – that the triumph of his team was a moment he had “craved” as he reached the end of an extraordinary career.
“I knew God would bring this gift to me, I had the feeling that this World Cup was the one,” said Messi.
“It took so long, but here it is. We suffered a lot, but we managed to do it. Can’t wait to be in Argentina to witness the insanity of this.”
He remarks echo those of fellow Argentine football legend Diego Maradona who credited a header against England in the 1986 World Cup as “a little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God”.
LIONEL MESSI HAS COMPLETED FOOTBALL 🐐 pic.twitter.com/IvDeNtckee
— B/R Football (@brfootball) December 18, 2022
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Messi scored twice from the penalty spot in a game which was drawn 3-3 after extra time and was decided ultimately in a penalty shoot-out, with Gonzalo Montiel sealing Argentina’s win after France missed twice.
The 2022 World Cup is likely to be the last of Santa Fe-born Messi who at the age of 35 is already considered to be old for a forward.
The married father-of-three is a practising Catholic who is open about his faith.
He sports a large tattoo of the face of Jesus Christ wearing the crown of thorns on his right shoulder and another showing a rosary.
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