“Maradona is smiling now.” Pelé congratulates Messi on Argentina’s victory in the Flag Cup

After a mind-blowing game described as the ‘greatest’ in the history of the FIFA World Cup final, reactions were widespread to the excitement of the Argentina-France match at the World Cup in Qatar.

And on Sunday, Argentina, led by its captain Lionel Messi, won the World Cup after a 36-year absence from the world title, after defeating France on penalties, following a 3-goal draw for both teams.

Messi finally lifted the World Cup at the age of 35 to put a third star on his country’s shirt in the best finish of his international career.

Former England star Michael Owen tweeted: “Incredible game. Definitely best final ever?”

Former Spanish star Cess Fabregas asked: “Does anyone still believe this is the best sport ever?”

on his side, chirping Former Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas praises the Argentina coach. He said in Spanish: “Silently and without making any noise, he was able to take Argentina to the top. Congratulations!”

The former Egyptian star, Ahmed Hossam, nicknamed “Mido”, tweeted, saying in one tweet: “I don’t believe (I’m not) believing (a)” and came back in another tweet and said that “the Rimontada has made people crazy”, referring to the return of the French team twice to the result of a draw. Facing Argentina in the original and overtime innings.

The match was heading to Argentina after going ahead with two clean goals, but Kylian Mbappe managed an equalizer 10 minutes before the end, with two goals in two minutes.

In overtime, Argentina still advanced, before Mbappé himself equalized again and went to penalties, which smiled in favor of Messi and his companions.

For his part, former German international and 2014 world champion Bastian Schweinsteiger said: “It’s a wonderful game. Congratulations to Argentina on their world title. Messi has finally crowned his wonderful career.”

The reactions weren’t limited to the football stars, but the echo of this crazy match reached other athletes and even stars of the arts.

“Best World Cup final ever,” said famed Jamaican runner, world champion in 100m and 200m, Usain Bolt, in a tweet on Twitter, which he attached to his photo wearing Argentina’s shirt of Lusail Stadium, which hosted the match.

For her part, American tennis player Serena Williams wrote: “If I’m having a heart attack, it’s because I’m watching this FIFA World Cup.”

After the match, Argentine legend Messi confirmed he would continue his international career after leading his country on Sunday to its third FIFA World Cup title and first since 1986.

Messi, who won the tournament’s best player award, said in an interview with an Argentine channel: “I want to continue playing some matches as a world champion,” AFP reported.

But Messi admitted his career was almost over after finally lifting the long-awaited trophy and bearing the burden of not winning it for his entire career to rise to the ranks of Diego Maradona.

Messi said: “Obviously I want to end my career with this (title), I can’t ask for more. My career is almost over because these are my last years.”

And after many disappointments in the previous four editions he has contested, including a 2014 final defeat by Germany in Brazil, Messi said he always thought his time would come.

She added, “It’s crazy that it happened, but it’s unbelievable. It’s unbelievable that it ended up like this. I’ve said before that God would give me this (title), I don’t know why, but I felt it would be this time.”

As for the match, Messi said it was difficult to explain the scenario after Argentina lost their two-goal lead when Mbappé equalized in the 80th and 81st minutes to extend the match.