Lionel Messi resembles Maradona as Argentina wins FIFA World Cup

• Messi captained Argentina to their first World Cup victory in 36 years.
• Messi has already announced that this will be his last World Cup.
• After Argentina blew a 2-0 and a 3-1 lead in extra time, they won the game on penalties.

On Sunday, Lionel Messi delivered the performance of his life, winning the FIFA World Cup to cap off his stellar career.

After what was perhaps the greatest World Cup final in history, the best player of his generation and perhaps all time, retired with a trophy.

The 35-year-old Argentine captain, who has already announced that this will be his last World Cup, had a fitting sendoff.

After Argentina blew a 2-0 and a 3-1 lead in extra time, they won the game on penalties. Messi was a calming influence amidst the chaos at the Lusail Stadium.

The rowdy Argentine crowd showed their respect for the late Diego Maradona by roaring in approval when clips from his memorable goal against England in the 1986 World Cup were shown on a huge television screen before the game.

Messi took that as his motivation and led Argentina to their first World Cup victory in 36 years thanks to his amazing performance.

That 1986 victory, in which Argentina overcame a 2-0 deficit to upset West Germany 3-2 thanks in large part to Maradona, was likewise a comeback victory.

When Argentina lost the 2014 World Cup final 1-0 in overtime to Germany at the Maracana Stadium, Messi cut a dejected figure on the losing side.

As a result of that loss, Messi was faced with the prospect of joining the German icon Karl-Heinz Rummenigge as the only men to have captained his countries in two World Cup finals and come up short both times.

On Sunday, though, it became clear that Messi would not be joining that unwelcome group.

Messi was quickly into his groove after the opening kickoff, pressing for possession and directing play with his usual elegance as he picked up Angel Di Maria on the left flank time and time again.

After 21 minutes, when Di Maria drew a foul from Ousmane Dembele inside the box, Messi stepped up to calmly shoot his team into the lead with a nerveless penalty, his 97th international goal and 12th in World Cups.

Also Read

Shah Rukh Khan pens note for Lionel Messi as Argentina wins FIFA World Cup 2022

Shah Rukh Khan pens note for Lionel Messi as Argentina wins FIFA...