Neymar has congratulated his ‘brother’ Lionel Messi following Argentina’s World Cup triumph over France.
La Albiceleste were crowned world champions for a third time after a penalty shootout win on Sunday following a exhilarating 3-3 draw between the giants of world football.
Messi, who scored twice and in the shoot-out, finally ended his long wait to lift the World Cup with his Paris Saint-Germain teammate Neymar watching on from home following Brazil’s elimination at the quarter-final stage.
The Brazilian was quick to congratulate his friend and teammate on Instagram, sharing a picture of Messi kissing the trophy.
There was no message for his other PSG teammate Mbappe, however.
The 23-year-old scored a hat-trick in one of the all-time great World Cup final performances, finishing the competition as top scorer, but still settled for a silver medal.
Messi finished a goal behind Mbappe with seven goals in seven games, becoming the first player to score in each round of the same World Cup since the last-16 round was introduced in 1986.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner was expected to confirm that Sunday’s showpiece would be the last time he would represent his country on the global stage.
But after inspiring their first victory since 1986, however, Messi confirmed it was his intention to play on until the next World Cup and be present in four years’ time when America, Canada and Mexico will play host.
Asked if he was going to retire from international football, Messi told TyC Sports: ‘No, I’m not going to retire from the national team.
‘I want to keep playing as World Cup champions with Argentina shirt.’
‘It’s crazy that it happened this way’ he added. ‘I knew God was going to give it to me, I had a feeling it was going to be like this.
Now I’m going to enjoy. It was long awaited but here it is. Look how this cup is it, it’s beautiful. We can’t wait to be in Argentina to see how crazy it’s going to be.’
MORE : Lionel Messi cat who got the cream as he reunites with wife Antonela Roccuzzo and sons to celebrate World Cup win
MORE : Lionel Messi’s parting shot for Argentina floors France in epic duel
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