Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes has revealed what Lionel Messi told him after winning the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Paredes was the first of the Argentine players to congratulate Messi after they defeated France by 4-2 in the penalty shootout.

Messi finally became a World Champion and it was an emotional night for all of Argentina’s players as the legend finally had his hands on the coveted trophy.

Messi had a great run in FIFA World Cup 2022, scoring seven goals and providing three assists. He also scored a goal and provided an assist in the all-important semi-final against Croatia. Messi then scored a brace against France in the final and took his team to glory.

On the other hand, France’s talisman Kylian Mbappe scored a hat-trick for Les Bleus but his efforts went in vain.

Leandro Paredes said via Albiceleste Talk: “I will take that hug from Messi for the rest of my life. Turning around, seeing him on his knees and being the first to hug him as a world champion, it was incredible.”

He added: “I yelled at him ‘we are world champions’ and he told us ‘thank you, thank you, I love you.’”

Meanwhile, La Albiceleste’s goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez also revealed what Messi told him after Argentina won their third World Cup title. Martinez had played a key role in Argentina’s win as he made a crucial save in the shootout.

Martinez said via Indian Express, “After the shootout, Messi came and hugged me and said – ‘I can’t believe you saved us again’. When the best player in the world says that, it is unbelievable.”

He added: “Messi is a born winner, he was born to win, and he used to talk before every game in the World Cup. In the final, he said – ‘Thank you for everything you have done for me.’ And we ( other players in the team) all wanted to win it for him.”

Messi will now play for Miami Heat in Major League Soccer.