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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Robert Zeglinski

An emotional Lionel Messi was relieved after finally winning World Cup in legendary last game

Lionel Messi World Cup Argentina (Organization) Diego Maradona Soccer

For nearly two decades, Lionel Messi has captivated the international soccer community as the arguably greatest player of all time. After a certain point,  some said he had achieved enough to stand alone above all the other legends of the game. To others, he still needed that elusive World Cup championship. That is no longer a gap in Messi’s resume.

After all the goals, incredible assists, and other titles, with Argentina’s win on penalty kicks over France in an instant classic 2022 World Cup Final — the legendary Messi can finally call himself a World Cup champion. And in his likely last World Cup game, too.

As Argentina celebrated its first Men’s World Cup championship since 1986, the man who took them there, Messi — the unquestioned Golden Ball winner for best player of the tournament — was understandably elated and relieved at climbing soccer’s highest mountain.

Just look at him celebrating this incredible moment with his kids:

And what about this scene and powerful hug with his mom? Man, someone, please stop cutting onions:

How can you possibly not be happy for this legend? And to do it under such thrilling circumstances, where Argentina blew a late 2-0 lead and another late 3-2 lead in extra time … but still won in Messi’s last-ever World Cup game.

We saw an all-time classic unfold in the World Cup Final. And, perhaps more importantly, we saw an all-timer in Messi get the crown he’s been chasing his entire life.

Soccer fans loved seeing a joyful and relieved Messi celebrate finally winning the World Cup

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