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Lionel Messi reached the pinnacle of football by winning the FIFA World Cup in 2022 at the expense of Kylian Mbappe. Argentina triumphed in Qatar with a 4-2 penalty shootout win after a 3-3 draw over 120 minutes in perhaps the greatest final in history.
However, Messi's dream of winning the World Cup looked at risk when Mbappe came to the fore late in the second half. The tournament's Golden Boot winner netted an incredible equalizer (81'), giving his former PSG teammate a sense of deja vu.
Lionel Messi reflected on Kylian Mbappe's equalizer and how he felt the agony of losing the 2014 World Cup final was reoccurring. He said in a documentary (via Barca Worldwide on X):
"I felt like football was telling me, this cup was not created for me to be its champion. I felt that the 2014 scenario would be repeated and I would be sad, but something inside me told me, ‘Wake up, you fool. This is no longer your dream. It has become the dream of the world.’ And indeed, I stood on my feet again and said, ‘Nothing will stop me.’ Realizing my dream this time."
Lionel Messi got his hands on a long-awaited World Cup at the fifth time of asking. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner had dazzled in the competition since his debut in the 2006 World Cup.
However, Messi produced his most heroic performance in Argentina colors two years ago in the Middle East. He posted seven goals and three assists in seven games.
Two of those goals (23', 108') came in the final, and the second looked like they had won the game in extra time. That was until Mbappe struck again from the penalty spot (118') to take the final to penalties.
Messi and Mbappe canceled one another out as the first takers in the shootout, both firing home with aplomb. Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was the hero as he denied Kingsley Coman, and Aurelien Tchoumaeni shot wide of his post as La Abiceleste became world champions.
Kylian Mbappe claimed he knew Lionel Messi would win the Ballon d'Or during the World Cup final
Kylian Mbappe gave an honest verdict of Lionel Messi's record-extending eighth Ballon d'Or win when speaking last November. The new Real Madrid striker finished third on the podium, behind his former PSG teammate and Erling Haaland.
Mbappe alluded to the World Cup final when explaining why Messi deserved to be crowned the winner (via ESPN):
"I knew he would win it [Ballon d'Or] the night of the World Cup final. Messi deserves it. If he wins the World Cup he has to win the Ballon d'Or. He is one of the best in history, if not the best."
Mbappe enjoyed an incredible 2022 World Cup campaign as he lit up Qatar as the tournament's top goalscorer. The France star registered eight goals and two assists in seven games, including a hat-trick in the final.
