Brazilian legend Pele said Lionel Messi "deserved" to be a World Cup winner after Argentina defeated France in a penalty shootout in Sunday's final.

Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni said that he will keep Lionel Messi's jersey ready in case the talismanic captain wishes to play at the next World Cup after he ended the country's 36-year wait to hoist the golden trophy again.

I am not even a little ashamed to admit that I was wrong about the third-place decider.

From Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe dazzling, Morocco overachieving to Cristiano Ronaldo discovering his place in the sidelines, there have been a number of hits and misses in the month-long festival of football.

Maybe it is Angel di Maria's fate, like that of so many other talented Argentina players, that he was born in Lionel Messi's time; that he had to play his whole international career under the shadow of Messi.

The 2022 World Cup may have been the last hurrah for Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, but the tournament also witnessed the arrival of a new crop of talented young players. Here, we look at some of the rising stars who shone during the finals in Qatar.

As fireworks exploded and some 80,000 people roared, Lionel Messi smiled. His Argentina jersey covered by the bisht the Emir of Qatar had just draped him in – the cape reserved for top officials and sheikhs.

Lionel Messi worked his magic on the Lusail Iconic Stadium pitch to deliver a third World Cup trophy for Argentina as the Albiceleste emerged victorious following a thrilling penalty shootout on Sunday night.

As fireworks exploded and some 80,000 people roared, Lionel Messi smiled. His Argentina soccer shirt covered by the bisht the Emir of Qatar had just draped him in – the cape reserved for top officials and sheikhs. He smiled, he paused, then he hoisted high the World Cup, a lifetime’s dream realised.

Argentina star Lionel Messi on Sunday vowed to continue playing for his country despite realising his lifetime ambition of winning the World Cup.

France captain Hugo Lloris admitted Sunday's World Cup final defeat to Lionel Messi's Argentina was "cruel" and likened the pulsating showpiece to a "boxing match".

France coach Didier Deschamps said the way his team lost Sunday's World Cup final against Argentina was "cruel" after they came from behind twice over the course of the game only to succumb in a penalty shoot-out.

Finally, Leo Messi, and how you deserved it. From all the way back in 2006, when you made your World Cup debut, until now.

Argentina and Benfica midfielder Enzo Fernandez has been named the best youngster at the 2022 World Cup.

Geoff Hurst said he had enjoyed a "good run" after France's Kylian Mbappe became just the second player after the England great to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final.

Lionel Messi on Sunday won the Golden Ball for the best player at this year's World Cup after leading Argentina to victory in the final against France.

As the FIFA World Cup bandwagon winds down on Qatar and moves to North and Central America, it is time to look back at what the 2022 edition -- the first World Cup held in the Middle East -- offered to the world.

France striker Kylian Mbappe won the World Cup Golden Boot award after becoming only the second player to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final, but the supersonic 23-year-old did more than just that on Sunday at the Lusail Stadium.

Argentina won their third World Cup in extraordinary style on Sunday, beating France 4-2 in a penalty shootout after Lionel Messi scored twice in a 3-3 draw that featured a hat-trick for Kylian Mbappe as the holders recovered from 2-0 down after 80 minutes.

Defending champions France and Argentina drew 3-3 after extra time to send the World Cup final into a penalty shootout on Sunday.