Pele: "Maradona would be smiling too... Messi fully deserves the championship"

"Soccer Emperors" Messi, Mbappe, and Others Encouraged

Argentina national football team captain Lionel Messi (center) and his teammates cheer while holding the trophy after winning against France in the 2022 Qatar World Cup final held at Lusail Stadium in Qatar on the 18th (local time). On that day, Argentina and France were tied 2-2 during the 90 minutes of regular time and 3-3 after extra time, and Argentina won 4-2 in the subsequent penalty shootout to claim the championship. Photo by EPA·Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Jeong-wan] Pel? (82) of Brazil, known as the 'King of Football,' congratulated Lionel Messi (35, Paris Saint-Germain), who led his homeland Argentina to victory in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

On the 19th (Korean time), after the final match between Argentina and France held at Lusail Stadium in Qatar, Pel? sent a message to Messi on his social media.

He said, "Football today, as always, has created a fascinating story," and "Messi, who won his first World Cup, was fully deserving."

Pel? won the World Cup three times during his active career in 1958, 1962, and 1970, and received the Golden Ball awarded to the tournament's Most Valuable Player (MVP) in 1970.

Congratulations on Argentina's Victory... Maradona Must Be Smiling Too

Pel? mentioned Diego Maradona, the 'original' football god who passed away in 2020, writing, "Congratulations on Argentina's victory, and Maradona must be smiling too."

He also encouraged Kylian Mbapp? (24, Paris Saint-Germain), who scored three goals in the final and became the World Cup top scorer. Pel? said, "My friend Mbapp? scored four goals in finals, including the tournament in Russia four years ago," adding, "Seeing such an incredible future is a great gift."

Mbapp? was recorded as the first player to achieve a hat-trick in a World Cup final in 56 years since Geoff Hurst in 1966.

Meanwhile, Argentina, led by Messi, won 4-2 in a penalty shootout after extra time against France in the final, lifting the trophy for the first time in 36 years since the 1986 Mexico tournament.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.