Three-time World Cup winner Edson Arantes do Nascimento, better known as Pele, has sent a congratulatory message to Lionel Messi for winning the game’s Holy Grail, to all but join him as one of the greatest of all time the game has ever seen.
Messi scored twice in an enthralling World Cup final between France and Argentina at Lusail Stadium in Qatar on Sunday.
The Argentina little magician lead his side to a 2-0 half-time lead, but Kylian Mbappe had other ideas, scoring two goals in quick succession via a penalty and a superb volley to beat Emiliano Martinez.
Then the game went to extra-time, with Messi prodding from close range to send Argentina into ecstasy, but Mbappe scored another penalty with two minutes left to play.
But with the game going to penalties, the third World Cup final to be decided on spot-kicks after 1994 and 2006, Argentina scored four while France only netted two – elevating Messi’s into football’s elite of legendary captains who lead their country to World Cup glory.
“Today, football continues to tell its story, as always, in an enthralling way,” said the ailing Pele.
“Messi winning his first World Cup, as his trajectory deserved. My dear friend, Mbappé, scored four goals (three plus one in the penalty shootout, matching England’s hero Geoff Hurst, the only other man to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final in 1966) in a final.
“What a gift it was to watch this spectacle to the future of our sport.”
The 82-year-old added that the late Diego Maradona, who helped Argentina to win the World Cup in 1986, would be smiling in heaven to see his country win the biggest trophy in world football.
“Congratulations to Argentina! Certainly Diego is smiling now,” said Pele to Maradona.
Lastly, Pele could not hold himself in admiration by Morocco’s record-breaking run to the World Cup semis, becoming the first African nation to do so. Morocco lost the third-and-fourth place playoff to Croatia.
“And I couldn’t fail to congratulate Morocco for the incredible campaign. It’s great to see Africa shine,” he said.
