Pele congratulates Messi and Mbappe after World Cup final
Brazilian footballer Pele has congratulated Argentina’s Lionel Messi for winning the World Cup and France’s Kylian Mbappe for scoring a hat-trick in the final. Pele, who won the World Cup a record three times as a player, is currently hospitalized for treatment of respiratory problems. He posted his message on Instagram after Argentina’s 4-2 penalty shootout win over France in the final played at the Lusail Stadium in Qatar.
Argentina and France were tied 3-3 after extra time, after which a shootout was resorted to. Pele said, “Football told its story again in an interesting way today. Messi won his first World Cup which he deserved. My dear friend Mbappe scored four goals (including the penalty shootout) in the final. It was nothing less than a gift to see such a spectacular performance for the future of our sport.
Messi scored two goals in the match while Mbappe scored all three goals for France. Pele also congratulated Morocco, the first African country to make it to the semi-finals, and ended his message by remembering Argentine legend Diego Maradona. Pele wrote, “Congratulations Argentina. Surely Diego must be smiling right now.