SUMMARY
- Argentina defeated France in December 2022 and won the FIFA World cup.
- Messi holding the world cup trophy is the most liked photo on Instagram.
Lionel Messi has scaled the heights of soccer. On December 18, 2023, Messi celebrated the first anniversary of Argentina’s World Cup triumph in 2022. The win in the final of the tournament against France ended Messi’s long wait for a World Cup trophy.
The former FC Barcelona player has penned down an emotional Instagram post that harks back the Argentine fans to their golden days. The 2022 World Cup win was special for millions of Argentines as it ended a long wait of 36 years for a World Cup trophy.
Lionel Messi will never forget that World Cup winning feeling 🥺 pic.twitter.com/U5HDK7P4vc
— GOAL (@goal) December 18, 2023
Lionel Messi’s Instagram post was shared by millions of his fans. The post read, “1 year of the most beautiful craziness of my career”. He described the World Cup win as “Unforgettable memories that will last a lifetime”
The 36-year-old’s trophy cabinet dearly missed a World Cup trophy, having won almost every competition that the Argentine has played in. Leo came agonizingly close to winning the trophy in 2014. But, a heartbreaking defeat at the hands of Germany shattered Argentine dreams.
It was one year ago that a gallery featuring pictures of Lionel Messi finally holding the World Cup became the most liked picture on Instagram.
It now has over 75 million likes 👀
Read the story here 👇https://t.co/20WsCiUIIT
— Guinness World Records (@GWR) December 19, 2023
So, when Lionel Messi was adorned with the Qatari traditional cloak ‘Bisht’, it was a fitting one as it was a crowning moment for soccer’s one of the greatest. Lionel Messi went on to lift the World Cup in the presence of Qatari dignitaries. This beautiful image would resonate through the memories of his countless fans.
Messi was very instrumental in Argentina’s famous title win. The Inter Miami player scored 7 goals for his nation, two of which came in the final against France. He also provided 3 assists which was the joint highest in the tournament. Besides his scoring records, it was Messi’s leadership skills on the pitch that motivated his players to go all-in during the tournament. This was particularly evident in the final of the month-long tournament.
Lionel Messi and Co. defeated France in an emphatic World Cup final in 2022
The tactical astuteness of Lionel Scaloni and the cold-blooded execution by the Argentine team meant that they overcame a difficult French challenge in a scintillating final. The eventual World Champions were the better-prepared ones on the night as they lifted a historic World Cup. The FIFA World Cup 2022 final was a display of Argentine strength and valor
Lionel Messi really took the “no international trophies” comments personally 🏆 pic.twitter.com/h0PeZuf41h
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) December 18, 2023
Lionel Messi’s two goals and a brilliant goal on the counter by Angel Di Maria sealed France’s luck in the final. The Argentine looked more hungry for the World Cup than their counterparts. The South American team executed a perfect plan. They set up a mid-block and isolated Antoine Griezmann and others, the creative force of the French team.
Argentina overloaded the wings which meant that the French wide players were seen back-paddling. Although a world-class hat trick by Kylian Mbappe, did concern the Argentine fans, their team was brave enough. Argentina showed an elite mentality and held on to their nerves to win their 3rd ever FIFA World Cup.