Lionel Messi broke the record for having the most liked post on Instagram, with over 60.3 million likes at the time of writing.

Drink it all in.

Lionel Messi and his teammates set off for Argentina with the most coveted prize in football as millions of compatriots waited to welcome them home on Monday and catch a glimpse of the World Cup trophy.

Lionel Messi, playing his last ever World Cup match is an everlasting inspiration with how he overcame repeated heartbreaks and obstacles to take the Argentine team to the path of their recent success. If there is one thing that we can learn from Messi, it is to tackle challenges head-on and come out as victors. His redemption story with the national team is a basis of how there is always a stage for a resurgence after you have been down with failures.

After a mesmerising month of upsets, when several brash outsiders threatened soccer's status quo, the World Cup final will have a familiar feel on Sunday when France and Argentina will go toe to toe, each seeking a third title.

Former World Cup winner Jurgen Klinsmann said the tournament in Qatar has shown the need for risk-taking players such as Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi.

As French soccer star Kylian Mbappe gears up for the World Cup final on Sunday in Qatar, the striker's presence is also felt strongly in Bondy, the unassuming satellite city of Paris where he grew up.

In Rosario, the Argentine city where Lionel Messi grew up, hope and excitement are rising that their hometown star can guide the country to a first soccer World Cup since 1986, repeating a trick by one Diego Maradona 36 years ago.

Pre-tournament favourites Argentina stumbled at the first World Cup hurdle before getting their act together to storm into another final, led by their inspirational skipper Lionel Messi who has moved to the top of the tournament's scoring charts.

Here are the top 5 international football players with the most expensive cars in their possessions.

Lionel Messi will have the chance to crown his remarkable career by winning the World Cup after he inspired Argentina to a comfortable 3-0 win against Croatia in the semi-final on Tuesday.

Argentina’s story in this World Cup has been that of a transformation. From getting handed an unexpected defeat in the opening match against Saudi Arabia to being unbeaten and waltzing through opponents one after another, it feels like we are in for a grand finish! With Argentina running towards their elusive World Cup dream, let us look at the 5 ways Argentina has re-invented them in this world cup.

Neymar departed in tears. The Brazil No 10 cried inconsolably, only to be lifted off the pitch as the pre-tournament favourites were knocked out on penalties by Croatia in the quarterfinals at the Education City Stadium on Friday night.

Lionel Messi wasn’t available at the pre-match press conference for Argentina’s World Cup semifinal against Croatia on Monday. He wasn’t, in fact, expected to be; the PSG talisman hardly ever attends a press conference.

When Cristiano Ronaldo walked down the tunnel in tears at the Al Thumama Stadium on Saturday, it must have felt surreal for millions of his and Portugal fans around the globe.

Ever wonder how your favourite footballer rose to success? For many footballers, it was not as simple as being scouted or joining a football academy where their only concern was the sport. Many footballers have a life filled with harsh memories, losses, financial struggles, and displacement. Their stories are inspirational as they persevered and came out of their hardship for themselves and their families. Here are some of the inspirational stories which haunt some of our favourite footballers.

Lionel Messi said Argentina have felt the presence of the late, great Diego Maradona throughout their World Cup campaign, including on Friday when they beat the Netherlands on penalties to reach the semi-finals.

Lionel Messi’s life and career have an array of valuable lessons for all of us. His quotes reflect being humble, being unfazed by failure, and above all, knowing the true values of humanity. These beliefs are not unique to a sport but to life. Some people believe Lionel Messi, the Argentine footballer, is one of the greatest players of all time, if not the greatest player ever to grace the football field. The Argentine footballer did not come to his stardom easily. He started from a place of poverty and worked his way up using every opportunity that came his way.

Australia midfielder Cameron Devlin did not play a minute of the World Cup but left Qatar with one of its biggest prizes after exchanging jerseys with Argentina's Lionel Messi after their round of 16 match.

Australia midfielder Cameron Devlin did not play a minute of the World Cup but left Qatar with one of its biggest prizes after exchanging jerseys with Argentina's Lionel Messi after their round of 16 match.