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‘Diego is smiling now’ - Pele hails Lionel Messi for emulating idol Diego Maradona with World Cup triumph

 (AFP via Getty Images)
(AFP via Getty Images)

Pele led the tributes to Lionel Messi and said Diego Maradona was smiling down on him after the Argentina star joined the World Cup immortals.

In the first World Cup since the passing of Maradona in 2020, Messi fulfilled his dream of emulating his idol by captaining Argentina to glory as they beat France on penalties.

Pele also praised Kylian Mbappe after the France star scored a hat-trick with an eclectic performance that showed he is also destined to become a World Cup legend.

“Today, football continues to tell its story, as always, in an exciting way,” Pele wrote on Instagram.

“Messi winning his first World Cup, as his career deserved. My dear friend Mbappe, scoring four goals in the final. What a gift it was to watch this show for the future of our sport and I could not fail to congratulate Morocco for the incredible campaign. It's great to see Africa shine.”

Pele, who has been watching the World Cup from hospital in Brazil as he is treated for a respiratory infection, added: “Congratulations to Argentina! Certainly, Diego is smiling now.”

England and West Ham midfielder Declan Rice said Messi was “the best ever” and Gary Lineker described him as “a gift from the footballing Gods”.

Lineker said: “It’s been an absolute privilege to watch Lionel Messi for nearly two decades. Moment after moment of spellbinding, breathtakingly joyous football. He’s a gift from the footballing Gods. So pleased that he’s lifted the ultimate prize in our sport.”

England midfielder James Maddison said: “For those who know football know that tonight’s result didn’t determine whether Messi was the best player ever or not. But yet I’m so happy he did for the people who thought he needed it so now there’s no debate.”

Lionel Messi lifts the FIFA World Cup 2022 Qatar - In Pictures

Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates with teammates and the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Winner’s Trophy after the team’s victory during the FIFA World Cup (Getty Images)
Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates with teammates and the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Winner’s Trophy after the team’s victory during the FIFA World Cup (Getty Images)
Argentina's captain and forward #10 Lionel Messi (R) holds the FIFA World Cup Trophy following the trophy ceremony after Argentina won the Qatar 2022 World Cup final football match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium in Lusail (AFP via Getty Images)
Argentina's captain and forward #10 Lionel Messi (R) holds the FIFA World Cup Trophy following the trophy ceremony after Argentina won the Qatar 2022 World Cup final football match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium in Lusail (AFP via Getty Images)
Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates with teammates and the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Winner’s Trophy after the team’s victory during the FIFA World Cup (Getty Images)
Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates with teammates and the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Winner’s Trophy after the team’s victory during the FIFA World Cup (Getty Images)
Lionel Messi of Argentina lifts the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Winner’s Trophy after the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium (Getty Images)
Lionel Messi of Argentina lifts the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Winner’s Trophy after the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium (Getty Images)
Argentina's Lionel Messi takes pictures of his wife Antonela Roccuzzo as she holds the winners trophy after Argentina won the World Cup final soccer match against France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, (AP)
Argentina's Lionel Messi takes pictures of his wife Antonela Roccuzzo as she holds the winners trophy after Argentina won the World Cup final soccer match against France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, (AP)
Argentina's Lionel Messi sits with his wife Antonella Roccuzzo after the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. (AP)
Argentina's Lionel Messi sits with his wife Antonella Roccuzzo after the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. (AP)
(AFP via Getty Images)
(AFP via Getty Images)
Lionel Messi of Argentina kisses the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Winner’s Trophy as Gianni Infantino, President of FIFA, and Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of Qatar (Getty Images)
Lionel Messi of Argentina kisses the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Winner’s Trophy as Gianni Infantino, President of FIFA, and Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of Qatar (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
Lionel Messi led the celebrations after Argentina won the World Cup in Qatar (Getty Images)
Lionel Messi led the celebrations after Argentina won the World Cup in Qatar (Getty Images)
Messi has now won two major international trophies in two years following the 2021 Copa America win (Getty Images)
Messi has now won two major international trophies in two years following the 2021 Copa America win (Getty Images)

Brazil legend Ronaldo also congratulated Messi, saying: “This guy's football throws any rivalry to the corner. I saw a lot of Brazilians - and people from all over the world - rooting for Messi in this electrifying final. A farewell worthy of the genius who, far beyond being a World Cup star, captained an era.”