Argentina's 36-year wait for World Cup glory ended at on December 18 after Lionel Messi and Company defeated defending champions France in the penalty shootout.
Despite Kylian Mbappe's heroics, it was Messi's men who prevailed in the thrilling final. And once again Leo led his team from the front with a brace.
A calm and composed Messi was Argentina's lynchpin throughout the tournament in Qatar.
With 7 goals in as many matches, Messi was the second-highest goal-scorer in the 2022 FIFA World Cup. He was also instrumental in setting up the goals with 3 assists to his name while he created seven big goal-scoring chances throughout the quadrennial event in Qatar.
Messi become the first player to assist at five separate men’s World Cup tournaments. The World Cup also saw him become both the youngest and oldest player to score and assist in a single World Cup match in the history of the competition. MEssi did against Serbia in 2006 when he was 18, and against Mexico at 35.
Messi, who claimed the World Cup glory on his fifth attempt, was adjudged Man of the Match award five times in Qatar World Cup.
And probably in his last dance at the World Cup, Messi emerged as the player of the tournament, he became the first player in history of World Cups to win it twice.