Lionel Messi stumbles and sobs as the exact moment he realised he had won the World Cup

Argentina defeated France 4-2 (3-3) in a penalty shootout at the Lusail Stadium on Sunday, putting up an outstanding effort to win their third FIFA World Cup title. Lionel Messi stood out for the team, scoring twice in the game's 120 minutes and coolly converting the penalty shot in the shootout. With the addition of both major championships, Messi completed his collection of international trophies on Sunday (Copa America and FIFA World Cup). First to take the penalty shot, Messi easily made the conversion. Gonzalo Montiel, a teammate, scored the game-winning goal to give Argentina their third World Cup victory and cement Messi's place in the annals of greatness. 

After Montiel successfully converted the penalty shot, Messi sobbed as his Argentine teammates raced over to embrace him and celebrate the World title that had escaped the football legend for so long. Throughout the game, Kylian Mbappe of France made Lionel Messi fight hard for the gold medal. The France forward not only helped the reigning champions rally from a 2-0 deficit to tie the game again after Messi made it 3-2 in extra time, but also scored a hat-trick in the process. But Messi's night was this one.

The captain of Argentina was a member of the team that fell to Germany 1-0 in the 2014 World Cup final, but his magic from his prime years with Barcelona never appeared to translate to the blue and white stripes. The competition in Qatar was largely regarded as his final opportunity to compete in the World Cup because he was 35 and nearing the conclusion of his career. If so, he saved his best performance for last. With 13 goals across three World Cups, he has now surpassed Pele and is tied for fourth all-time with Just Fontaine. His seven this year beat Maradona's five at the Mexico City tournament in 1986.