Argentina captain Lionel Messi has been awarded the Player of the Tournament having led his nation to a third World Cup triumph.
Messi was instrumental in Argentina’s run to the final, scoring seven goals along the way as well as three assists.
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And the skipper was at his best once again in the final with two goals and a vital part in the build-up to Argentina’s second.
His first came from the spot after Angel Di Maria was fouled in the box by France’s Ousmane Dembele, sending Hugo Lloris the wrong way.
For Argentina’s second, Messi then played midfielder Alexis Mac Allister into space with a deft flick as the Brighton star drove forward and slipped in Di Maria who coolly slotted past Lloris.
Messi threatened to score the winner late in regular time when his strike from range stung the palms of Lloris as the game went to extra-time.
Messi & Di Maria put France on the ropes | 00:50
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But there was nothing the French gloveman could do to stop Messi’s second goal of the game, as Messi was perfectly placed to smash home the rebound after Lloris had saved Lautaro Martinez’s initial effort.
When it came to the penalty shootout, Messi stepped up first and proved he had ice in his veins after taking his time before scoring past Lloris for a third time.
Messi’s performance in the final capped off what had been an epic tournament for the superstar.
Not only that, but his Golden Ball award for best player at the World Cup was his second after his 2014 exploits, making him the only player in history to have won the accolade twice.
Messi’s award completed a near-clean sweep of individual prizes in Qatar, as Argentina shotstopper Emiliano Martinez won the Golden Glove for the best goalkeeper while 21-year-old midfielder Enzo Fernandez won the Young Player of the Tournament.
The skipper fell just short of securing the Golden Boot, losing out to Paris Saint-Germain teammate Kylian Mbappe who finished one goal ahead with a tally of eight, thanks to a hat-trick in the final.
