Argentina superstar Lionel Messi fulfilled his lifelong dream of winning the World Cup in Qatar when La Albiceleste won the finals against France on penalties. Messi on his return to Argentina expressed his gratitude towards his former compatriots as he and the entire team celebrated the triumph with the fans.
They returned to the pitch for the first time since winning the World Cup in December last year. They hosted Panama at the El Monumental Stadium for a friendly but the main cause was mostly to play in front of Argentine people and celebrate the trophy with them. It was a good gesture from the federation and the players as most people did not travel to Qatar to see them lift the cup last year.
Argentina defeated Panama 2-0 as Thiago Almada scored the opening goal for La Albiceleste whereas Messi scored the second from a perfectly timed curling freekick which left the fans in pandemonium. The goal aslo marked his 800th goal in club and international career.
Speaking after the game, Messi thanke dhis teammates, coaches, former players for helping him achieve something that he always wanted to fulfill as a child.
“I always dreamed of this moment and to celebrate with you. With my country, Argentina. I don’t want to forget all the teammates I had before because we also did everything possible to get it. Let’s enjoy the third star,” the Paris Saint Germain star stated in delight.
Lionel Messi was sensational at the Qatar World CUp as he netted seven times and also provided three assists. Two of his goals came against France in the World Cup finals. Only Kylian Mbappe finished with eight goals in the tournament. He was a very integral part of the Argentine attacking line as he struck 17 shots on goal out of total 31 attempts in the quadrennial tournament.
Argentine coach Lionel Scaloni, who has also been lauded for his exceptional man management and tactics in the World Cup has shared that the players can’t complacent. He wants the Argentina team to be defending their crown and not just do whatever they want. He has revealed that a new process will begin and the players who won the World Cup will not have any added advantage.
“We are world champions, but that doesn’t mean we have the right for more,” he added. “Just because we win we can’t do whatever we want. That’s what [the players] have to understand. The message is that a new process is beginning: the pitch is what rules. From there on, those who are world champions have no advantage, we will have to keep working,” Scaloni stated.
Argentina will next play Curacao on 28th March. In these friendlies Scaloni has mostly called the World Cup winners but he has hinted that a new process will mean that every player will be given equal importance. Scaloni’s next big assignment will come at the 2024 Copa America.
