Lionel Messi and his Argentina squad have returned to a hero’s welcome, ending Argentina’s 36-year quest for a World Cup trophy. In a thrilling final against France, Messi scored twice, while Kylian Mbappe, his Paris Saint-Germain teammate, scored an impressive hat-trick. The match, widely celebrated as one of the greatest World Cup finals, ended 3-3 in extra time and went to a penalty shootout.

Argentina clinched victory when Gonzalo Montiel scored the decisive penalty, allowing Messi to lift the coveted trophy he had chased his entire career. As Argentina celebrates, France’s striker Karim Benzema – who missed the World Cup due to injury – has hinted that his time with the national team may be over.