adminLIONEL MESSI replicated Diego Maradona’s iconic pose from 1986 as he fulfilled his lifelong dream by winning the World Cup.
The Argentina superstar lifted the only major trophy that had eluded him and said the penalty shootout triumph over France was written in the stars.
The victory sparked mass celebrations in which Messi was lifted above the rest of his team-mates while holding the trophy in the air.
Messi, 35, staked his claim to be the greatest of all time (GOAT) scoring twice in the 3-3 draw over 120 minutes before converting from the spot to emulate Diego Maradona’s class of 1986.
After kissing the trophy following the greatest World Cup final, Messi beamed: “I was lucky to have achieved almost everything – and what I was missing is here.
“This was the trophy I wanted all my life. This was my childhood dream.
“It’s madness. It’s the most beautiful thing there is. Look how she is, she’s gorgeous. I wanted her so much. I had a vision this would be the one. She was getting closer.
“It’s crazy it happened this way. I knew God was going to give it to me. It’s simply unbelievable. It’s a big joy for us.
“We suffered a lot but we got it. I wanted to close my career with World Cup. I can’t ask more than this.” – The Sun
Online Reporter
Bongani Ndlovu