That hug with Messi, I’ll keep with me for the rest of my life: Leandro Paredes talks about Argentine icon’s first reaction after winning the World Cup

On December 18, 2022, Messi scored two goals and then another in a shootout as Argentina beat France 4-2 on penalties after a 3-3 draw to claim a third World Cup title despite Kylian Mbappé scoring the first hat trick in a final in 56 years.

Voy a llevarme para toda la vida el abrazo con Lionel Messi después de ser campeones del mundo. ⭐🇦🇷

Nos decía: "GRACIAS, GRACIAS, LOS AMO"

Leandro Paredes, con @SofiMMartinez en "Llave a la Eternidad"- @PrensaTVP.pic.twitter.com/NfezVBraz2

— Andrés Yossen ⭐🌟⭐ (@FinoYossen) July 5, 2023

A few days ago Argentina winger Angle Di Maria, who scored and provided an assist in the final, also shared how he used to perform his pre-match rituals ahead of all important games but did not do so before the finale.

“When I put on the shirt, I usually start praying. I have my Jesus there, my Virgin Mary, my cross, and on my phone, I have a photo of my wife and my daughters. I always light a candle but the final …,” Di Maria told journalist Sofi Martinez Mateos.

“The final was the only match in my career that I didn’t ask, I gave thanks for the moment I was going to live. While I was giving thanks, a few tears fell, and Leo (Messi) also spoke.

“It was not like at the Copa America, it was more direct … I wanted with my life to be able to win it, and thank God, it happened,” he added.