LIONEL MESSI has said that Diego Maradona inspired the Argentina team from heaven in an emotional World Cup post on his Instagram page.
Messi helped his nation end a 36-year wait to win the tournament and he took to social media posting a clip of him playing football as a kid, as well as the best moments from Qatar.
Lionel Messi lifted the trophy in 2022, just as Diego Maradona did in 1986
Messi captioned the video, firstly talking about his own career that started 30 years ago, when he was just five-years-old, at local club Grandoli.
Then he went on to praise the Argentina team and icon Maradona, who won the World Cup in 1986 in Mexico.
Messi said: “From Grandoli to the World Cup in Qatar, almost 30 years has passed.
“It is close to three decades in which football gave me many joys and also some sadness.
“I always had the dream of being a world champion and I didn’t want to stop trying, even knowing that it might never happen.
“This Cup that we won is also for all those who did not achieve it in the previous World Cups that we played, like in 2014 in Brazil,
“Where everyone deserved it because of how they fought until the very end, how hard they worked and how they wanted it as much as I did… And we deserved it in the end.
“It is also for Diego [Maradona] who encouraged us from heaven.
“And for all those who always help the national team without looking at the result, but rather the desire that we always put into it, even when things do not go as we want.
“From the coaching staff to all the people from the national team, some of whom are anonymous working day and night to make it easier for us.
“Many times failure is part of the journey and learning. And without disappointment it is impossible for success to come.
“Thank you very much from the heart! Let’s go Argentina!!!”
Messi fired La Albiceleste to glory with his seven goals in seven games, including two in the final.
Messi also won the player of the tournament award and lifted the World Cup trophy while being held above the rest of the squad – both in similar style to his idol Maradona in ’86.
There have been claims that the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner will retire from international football.
However, it appears he has his eyes on defending his crown in 2026.
Lionel Messi is now widely regarded as the greatest ever
Messi referenced his first club, Grandoli, in his emotional upload
