Lionel Messi is now the undisputed GOAT of football in the modern era after helping Argentina defeat France in a dramatic final to win the World Cup.
Messi started the ball rolling after successfully converting a penalty in the 23rd minute at the Lusail Stadium in Qatar.
The penalty quickly became a talking point after Angel Di Maria appeared to be taken down by France’s Ousmane Dembele in the box. Replays, however, showed Di Maria kicking his own leg before falling.
Di Maria found the net in the 36th minute to give Argentina a comfortable lead against a French team that failed to shine in the earlier part of the game.
France managed to pull one back after it was awarded a penalty in the 79th minute. The goal was scored by Kylian Mbappe, and it got France president Emmanuel Macron on his feet.
Mbappe, who turns 24 tomorrow, scored another goal barely one minute later as France staged a dramatic comeback.
Both teams were tied 2-2 at full-time.
As the match entered extra time, Messi found the net in the 108th minute, only for Mbappe to score from the spot, yet again, 10 minutes later.
The epic final dragged into the penalty shootout, with Argentina winning 4-2.
This is Argentina’s third World Cup, having won in 1978 and 1986.
Messi has scored close to 800 goals for club and country, won 41 career trophies and has won the Ballon d’Or seven times.
Lifting the World Cup completes the 35-year-old’s outstanding resume.
