Emotional Lionel Messi celebrates World Cup final win with wife Antonela and children after incredible clash
LIONEL MESSI celebrated his emotional World Cup win with his wife and their children on the Lusail Stadium pitch.
The Argentine captain scored twice and then converted his penalty in the shootout as he finally got his hands on the famous trophy.
But after collecting the Golden Ball for the best player at Qatar 2022 and then lifting the trophy with his team-mates, Messi took time to soak in the moment with his nearest and dearest.
Wife Antonela Roccuzzo and their sons Thiago, ten, Mateo, seven and Ciro, four, as well as his parents and extended family all joined him on the pitch – many of them wearing replica away shirts with his name on the back.
The lads took turns to hold the Golden Ball trophy and their dad’s World Cup winner’s medal.
And Antonela, who seemed to wipe away tears of joy, even got her hands on the main piece of silverware, giving it a kiss and raising it aloft – before the boys did the same.
The family posed for selfies and photos together while Messi embraced and kissed his wife who went through the whole range of emotions in the stands during the thrilling clash.
She was on her feet cheering on her man after he stuck away his 23rd-minute penalty to open the scoring.
It was all going smoothly with Argentina 2-0 up with nine minutes to go but Kylian Mbappe’s quickfire double forced extra-time before the PSG team-mates both scored to send it to penalties.
Kingsley Coman and Aurelian Tchouameni missed their spot-kicks before Gonzalo Montiel sealed the victory for Argentina.
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Messi took to Instagram a few hours after recreating Diego Maradona’s iconic celebration to express his sheer delight.
The GOAT wrote: “CHAMPIONS OF THE WORLD!!!!!!!
“So many times I dreamed it, so much I wanted it that I still don’t fall, I can’t believe it……
“Thank you so much to my family, to all who support me and also to all who believed in us.
“We proved once again that Argentinians when we fight together and united we are able to achieve what we aim.
“The merit is of this group, which is above individuals, is the strength of all fighting for the same dream that was also the one of all Argentinians…
“We did it!!! LET’S GO ARGENTINA!!!!! We’re seeing each other very soon…”
Antonela also took to Instagram, sharing some adorable family photos that will make up quite the album when the celebrations eventually settle.
One showed the five smiling together, there was another of the two younger sons kissing the World Cup and one with Thiago holding a piece of the net.
She captioned the post: “WORLD CHAMPIONS!
“I don’t even know how to start.. pride greater that we feel for you @leomessi.
“Thank you for teaching us to never give up, you have to fight to the end FINALLY WORLD CHAMPION.
“We know what you suffered so many years to get what you wanted to get! LET’S GO ARGENTINA!”