In 1978, Argentina hosted the World Cup and did not miss the opportunity to win their first world title in front of their own fans. Eight years later, Mexico's Estadio Azteca saw a team led by Diego Armando Maradona win Argentina's second FIFA World Cup trophy after defeating Germany in the final. In the time since, "La Albiceleste" managed to reach the World Cup final twice more but lost both times. However, Dec. 18, 2022 is a day that Argentinian fans will remember forever. It was the day when the national team led by Lionel Messi once again lifted the World Cup trophy in what will go down as one of the best finals in history against the reigning champions.
It is undeniable: Argentina's championship was deserved given their play since the World Cup began. Their only lapse was on the first match, when Saudi Arabia shocked the world with a 2-1 upset. From that game on, the players fought in every game as if their lives depended on it and demonstrated the competitive level that is required to be a world champion.
Lionel Messi
Of course, winning their third World Cup is the result of many years of hard work, victories, defeats, joy and suffering. There is one player who has been there through it all. Lionel Messi, who many consider to be the greatest soccer player to ever step on the field, has been chasing this title for 20 years. He knows what it's like to see his dream of a World Cup title slip away in the final. At last, Messi completes his legendary career with the sport's most coveted title, one he has dreamed of since he was a child.
FIFA have him his due and named him as the recipient of the Golden Ball for the most valuable player of the tournament. He was just one goal away from drawing even with his opponent in the final, Kylian Mbappé, to win the Golden Boot for top scorer.
🏆 It's already yours, Leo!
🔝 Messi, best player of the World Cup #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/ZCRcLNNwl0n
- Gol Mundial (@Gol) December 18, 2022
With the World Cup, he completes his enviable trophy cabinet, all the trophies he could have won during his successful career, both at a collective level with the teams he has played for and at an individual level.
Lionel Scaloni
Another star of this World Cup for Argentina was coach Lionel Scaloni. He was named to the position in 2018 after Argentina's failure at the World Cup in Russia.
Se quebró Scaloni 🥹 NUNCA VAMOS A PODER AGRADECERLE TODO LO QUE NOS DIO pic.twitter.com/c8lO4v6DW0
— La Scaloneta 🇦🇷⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@LaScaloneta) December 18, 2022
Scaloni was tasked with the mission of executing a transition for the team. Legendary players like Sergio Agüero, Javier Mascherano and Gonzalo Higuaín were retiring from their national duties, and Scaloni had to put together a team with young and inexperienced players. However, he has always maintained the passion and style of play that characterizes the Argentinian national team.
Gradually, he racked up win after win, ending the the team's 28-year title drought with a win in the 2021 Copa America. One year later, his hard work materialized with the achievement of the third World Cup title in Argentinian history.
Emiliano Martinez
FIFA awarded Argentinian goalkeeper Emiliano "Dibu" Martínez with the Golden Glove award for best goalkeeper of the tournament. Argentinian fans will always remember the miraculous foot save he made against France just seconds before the final whistle to assure the game was sent to penalties. Without this play, "La Albiceleste" would have no title to celebrate.
🏅 'Dibu' Martinez, best goalkeeper of the World Cup for saves like this one #GolMundial https://t.co/1WcoqtI6PL
- Gol Mundial (@Gol) December 18, 2022
However, he did not win the award for just one save. Dibu also held the French in check in the penalty shootout in the final as well as the Dutch in the quarterfinals. He had only conceded five goals in the tournament before this match.
The fans
In Buenos Aires, Cordoba, Mar del Plata, etc.: every corner of Argentina is celebrating their team's wonderful performance. The players have their outstanding fans to thank as well.
In this World Cup, Argentinian supporters packed the stands, despite the fact that Qatar is a whole ocean and hemisphere away. And, without a doubt, every moment the Argentines experienced in those stadiums was worth it.
¡ARGENTINA CAMPEÓN DEL MUNDO! COMIENZAN LOS FESTEJOS EN BUENOS AIRES.
LOS FANÁTICOS SE DIRIGEN AL OBELISCO. pic.twitter.com/kXVYtcK85v
— Voz Media (@VozMediaUSA) December 18, 2022
