FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022: What it means to win a World Cup

Argentina and France reached football's ultimate game, with their eyes on lifting a possible third World Cup for their nation. These two were among the most exciting teams to watch at the tournament. The final lived up to the high expectations from around the world. 2-2 after 90 minutes, 3-3 after extra-time. It came down to penalties to decide the match. France's star player Kylian Mbappe scored a hattrick, but it wasn't enough. It was Messi's time to finally lift the trophy he had craved for so long after Argentina triumphed in the shootout.

It's Argentina's first World Cup victory since 1986, the first for a South American side in 20 years. It sent the country into raptures, with amazing celebration scenes being shared for days from its capital city, Buenos Aires.

"Football is not just a game. Football is the life. It represents the life. And when the South American teams go to the pitch, all countries come together, you know?" explained Pedro Araujo, South American football journalist.

"We have the same behaviour, with this heart behaviour, to scream, cry, and touch. We need this, and Argentina represents these feelings with soul. Not just a game, not just a competition. For us, this is the soul. The soul is on the pitch."

This win means so much to the people of Argentina that there are many stories to tell. One of the most prominent is finally seeing one of the greatest players of all time, Lionel Messi, lift the trophy he wanted the most. At club level, Messi has been the master of Europe, winning ten La Liga titles and four European Cups with Barcelona. It's been more challenging for him at the international level. Many feared he would go his entire career without winning a medal for his country.

Last year, he broke