The dream of Leo Messi, of the Argentina national team and of an entire population has come true. Thirty-six years after Diego Armando Maradona, his heir brings the World Cup back to the Albiceleste at the end of a thrilling match , perhaps the most beautiful final in the history of the World Cup .
At the end of a triumphant evening that he had been waiting for a lifetime, La Pulce reveals that he wants to "play a few more games in the national team as a world champion".
«The World Cup is what I was missing. Now it's here - his words -. Closing my career like this, because it's definitely my last years, is something impressive. We suffered a lot but we made it. I like being in the national team, the group, I want to continue to experience a few more games as a world champion ».
Emiliano "Dibu" Martinez , the still decisive goalkeeper from 11 meters and beyond, also has great merits: «It was a game of great suffering, we knew it: we weren't able to control the game as we should. But to become world champion you have to suffer. When we went to penalties, I told my team-mates to stay calm, because I would have won a couple of them.. ». Too bad for the rude gesture with the golden glove awarded to him as the best goalkeeper of the tournament: a fall in style in the world at the most important moment of his career.
Coach Lionel Scaloni : «After so much criticism, now let's finally enjoy the triumph, we deserved it. It's all thanks to my parents, they were an incredible group».
“We were born to suffer, we Argentines are like that. We are on top of the world, I think we deserve it», exults Rodrigo De Paul .
Another great protagonist Enzo Fernandez, elected best young player of the tournament : «I will never forget this moment in my life, coming here, having the opportunity to play in a World Cup and win it for my country is priceless. Messi deserves it more than anyone, I'm happy for him."
On the other hand, there is the disappointment of the French, expressed in the words of coach Didier Deschamps : «Many regrets. If we had collected the 3-0 there would have been nothing to say, we didn't do the right things for an hour. Then, with a lot of courage, energy and quality, we pushed Argentina to the limit. We didn't do everything right, but as always in this World Cup, there was heart and energy. When we touch something and it escapes us, it's even harder to digest. But that's the way it is, and you have to accept it .'
On the other hand, the other great protagonist of this final and of these World Cups does not speak. Kylian Mbappè sheds a few tears, sinks onto the bench while the Argentines rejoice but honors the title of top scorer and second place by kissing the medal .
(Unioneonline/L)