Lionel Messi has completed his stellar career trophy haul by winning the World Cup after a thrilling finale.
Messi has now won every major trophy in the game and was key to helping Argentina claim their first World Cup win since Diego Maradona led the team to victory in 1986.
Messi was sublime on the night and all throughout the tournament – he scored twice against France as well as converting the first spot kick in the shootout. In all, he scored six goals and finished one short of Kylian Mbappe. But he was name the tournament’s best player.
Messi records:
First player to win the World Cup Golden Ball twice: 2014 + 2022
First player to win 4 major tournament Best Player awards (no one else has more than 2): 2015 + 2021 Copa America, 2014 + 2022 World Cup
Oldest player to win the World Cup Golden Ball: 35 years, 178 days
First player to score in all 5 rounds at a single World Cup (Groups, R16, QF, SF, F)
Most goal contributions in World Cup history: 21 (13 goals + 8 assists)
Most World Cup matches scored in: 11 (shared with Miroslav Klose)
Most official POTM awards at a single World Cup: 5