Messi’s family were on hand to celebrate after his historic win (Picture: antonelaroccuzzo)
Lionel Messi’s wife Antonela Roccuzzo has declared the footballer ‘finally the world champion’ in a passionate tribute after Argentina’s triumph at the World Cup.
Messi, 35, reunited with his wife and three sons, Thiago, 10, Matteo, seven, and Ciro, four, on the pitch, after the Argentine superstar finally ended his personal quest to secure the trophy that had evaded him for so long, following the most dramatic final in the competition’s history, and looked to be the cat who got the cream.
Cuddling up to Roccuzzo, 34, the pair smiled as they held onto the golden trophy while celebrations went on behind them, as well as from the stands and from famous faces watching on from afar.
Sharing a series of sweet images, which also saw their boys kissing the trophy, and smiling with their parents on the pitch, Roccuzzo shared her pride for the footballer.
She wrote, translated to English: ‘WORLD CHAMPIONS
‘I don’t even know how to start.. that greater pride we feel for you @leomessi.
Roccuzzo shared her immense pride in her husband (Picture: antonelaroccuzzo)
The footballer’s sons celebrated on the pitch (Picture: antonelaroccuzzo)
‘Thanks for teaching us never to give up, we have to fight it to the end
‘FINALLY YOU ARE THE WORLD CHAMPION, we know what you suffered for so many years, you wanted to achieve this!!!
The Argentine star finally secured his World Cup win (Picture: Shaun Botterill – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
‘LET’S GO ARGENTINA.’
She shared another photo of Messi kissing the trophy, hailing him ‘my champion’.
Earlier, Roccuzzo was spotted settling into her seat ahead of the final clash in Qatar, as she led the WAGs supporting their partners on the field.
She’s been ever the supportive partner throughout the course of the competition, cheering on her man with the help of their three children.
Roccuzzo and sons Thiago and Mateo readied themselves for the final, watching from the stands (Picture: AFP)
Victory was sweet! (Picture: antonelaroccuzzo)
The couple reportedly met as kids and despite the star’s training abroad to pursue his sporting career, reconnected later in life to eventually tie the knot in 2017.
They share three sons together, the youngest of which was born one year after they married.
On the pitch Messi scored twice in the remarkable final with France on Sunday, which stood level at 2-2 after 90 minutes and was even again after extra-time at 3-3.
Argentina eventually triumphed on penalties and Messi finally got his hands on the World Cup at 35 years old, winning the Golden Ball for player of the tournament in the process as he scored seven goals and provided three assists along the way.
Following his triumph, legendary Brazil striker Ronaldo hailed Messi, saying the veteran’s brilliance puts any rivalries aside.
Brazil and Argentina have always been fierce competitors, but Ronaldo said that was insignificant when it came to hailing the great man with the World Cup in his hands.
Messi went on to insist he has no intention of retiring from international football, after he was widely expected to confirm that Sunday’s showpiece would be the last time he would represent his country on the global stage.
After inspiring their first victory since 1986, Messi confirmed it was his intention to play on and be present in four years’ time when America, Canada and Mexico will play host.
Asked if he was going to retire from international football, Messi told TyC Sports: ‘No, I’m not going to retire from the national team.
‘I want to keep playing as World Cup champions with Argentina shirt.’
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Victory looked sweet for this family.
