Lionel Messi is carried around the Lusail Stadium in Qatar after Argentina defeated France in the World Cup final in December 2022.
Lionel Messi's life in pictures
Lionel Messi is carried around the Lusail Stadium in Qatar after Argentina defeated France in the World Cup final in December 2022.
Anne-Christine Poujoulat/AFP/Getty Images

Updated 0024 GMT (0824 HKT) December 19, 2022

By Will Lanzoni, Laura Oliverio and Kyle Almond, CNN

Lionel Messi now has his World Cup.

The Argentine superstar lifted football's most coveted prize Sunday after a thrilling final victory in Qatar.

It is the crowning achievement for Messi, who said this would be the last World Cup game of his remarkable career. He scored two goals in the final and was awarded the Golden Ball as the best player in the tournament.

Messi is widely considered to be one of the sport's all-time greatest players, and for many he is at the top of the list. He is Argentina's all-time leading goalscorer, and at club level he is the all-time leading scorer for FC Barcelona and the Spanish soccer league La Liga.

Messi has won the Ballon d'Or trophy, given annually to the sport's top player, a record seven times. He has also won four Champions League titles with Barcelona. He now plays professionally in France with Paris Saint-Germain.

Messi, right, attends elementary school in Rosario, Argentina, in 1992. He was born in Rosario on June 24, 1987, and is the third of four children born to Jorge Messi, a steel factory worker, and Celia María Cuccittini.
Messi, right, attends elementary school in Rosario, Argentina, in 1992. He was born in Rosario on June 24, 1987, and is the third of four children born to Jorge Messi, a steel factory worker, and Celia María Cuccittini.
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Messi, top, poses with members of his family in Rosario in 2003. Below him, from left, are brother Rodrigo, sister Maria Sol, father Jorge, mother Celia, nephew Tomás and brother Matías. As a young boy, Messi was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency. He played for the local club team, Newell's Old Boys, before signing with Spanish club FC Barcelona at age of 13. As part of the contract, Barcelona agreed to pay for Messi's hormone treatments.
Messi, top, poses with members of his family in Rosario in 2003. Below him, from left, are brother Rodrigo, sister Maria Sol, father Jorge, mother Celia, nephew Tomás and brother Matías. As a young boy, Messi was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency. He played for the local club team, Newell's Old Boys, before signing with Spanish club FC Barcelona at age of 13. As part of the contract, Barcelona agreed to pay for Messi's hormone treatments.
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Messi is congratulated by Barcelona teammates after scoring his first goal for the club on May 1, 2005. Messi was 17 years old.
Messi is congratulated by Barcelona teammates after scoring his first goal for the club on May 1, 2005. Messi was 17 years old.
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Messi poses with an Argentina shirt for the magazine El Gráfico in June 2005. He would make his senior debut for his country a couple of months later.
Messi poses with an Argentina shirt for the magazine El Gráfico in June 2005. He would make his senior debut for his country a couple of months later.
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Messi makes his Argentina debut against Hungary in August 2005. He came on in the 63rd minute but was given a red card after just two minutes for a perceived elbow against a defender.
Messi makes his Argentina debut against Hungary in August 2005. He came on in the 63rd minute but was given a red card after just two minutes for a perceived elbow against a defender.
Laszlo Balogh/Reuters
Messi, left, celebrates with teammates Ronaldinho, center, and Rafael Márquez after Barcelona won the Spanish league title in May 2006. Less than two weeks later, Barcelona won the Champions League — Messi's first with the club.
Messi, left, celebrates with teammates Ronaldinho, center, and Rafael Márquez after Barcelona won the Spanish league title in May 2006. Less than two weeks later, Barcelona won the Champions League — Messi's first with the club.
Lluis Gene/AFP/Getty Images
Messi, left, and Argentina teammate Julio Cruz arrive in Italy for a friendly match in May 2006. Argentina was preparing for the World Cup in June.
Messi, left, and Argentina teammate Julio Cruz arrive in Italy for a friendly match in May 2006. Argentina was preparing for the World Cup in June.
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Messi signs autographs while training ahead of the World Cup in Germany in June 2006.
Messi signs autographs while training ahead of the World Cup in Germany in June 2006.
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A poster of Messi is seen at Argentina's World Cup base in Herzogenaurach, Germany, in June 2006.
A poster of Messi is seen at Argentina's World Cup base in Herzogenaurach, Germany, in June 2006.
Jan Pitman/Getty Images for Adidas
Messi scores against Serbia and Montenegro during a World Cup group-stage match in June 2006. Messi was the youngest Argentine to play and score in a World Cup. Argentina advanced to the quarterfinals that year and lost to Germany in a penalty shootout.
Messi scores against Serbia and Montenegro during a World Cup group-stage match in June 2006. Messi was the youngest Argentine to play and score in a World Cup. Argentina advanced to the quarterfinals that year and lost to Germany in a penalty shootout.
Ina Fassbender/Reuters
Messi, left, and Argentina teammate Sergio Agüero celebrate after winning gold at the Beijing Olympics in 2008.
Messi, left, and Argentina teammate Sergio Agüero celebrate after winning gold at the Beijing Olympics in 2008.
Chen jianyu/Imagine China/Reuters
Messi kisses his boot after scoring his header against Manchester United. His boot had come off while landing on his jump.
Messi kisses his boot after scoring his header against Manchester United. His boot had come off while landing on his jump.
Marco Giglio/EPA/Shutterstock
Messi leaps for a header, scoring a goal in the Champions League final against Manchester United in May 2009. Barcelona won 2-0.
Messi leaps for a header, scoring a goal in the Champions League final against Manchester United in May 2009. Barcelona won 2-0.
Filippo Monteforte/AFP/Getty Images
In December 2009, Messi was recognized as the world's best footballer when he won the Ballon d'Or for the first time. He has now won the award a record seven times.
In December 2009, Messi was recognized as the world's best footballer when he won the Ballon d'Or for the first time. He has now won the award a record seven times.
Yoan Valat/EPA/Shutterstock
<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2020/11/25/football/gallery/diego-maradona/index.html" target="_blank">Argentina legend Diego Maradona</a> touches Messi's head prior to a World Cup match in South Africa in 2010. Maradona was Argentina's coach for the tournament. Argentina lost to Germany in the quarterfinals, just as it did in 2006.
Argentina legend Diego Maradona touches Messi's head prior to a World Cup match in South Africa in 2010. Maradona was Argentina's coach for the tournament. Argentina lost to Germany in the quarterfinals, just as it did in 2006.
Pedro Ugarte/AFP/Getty Images
Messi takes a free kick during a Spanish league match against Atlético Madrid in 2011. During the 2011-12 season, Messi scored 73 goals, setting the all-time record for most goals scored in a season for a major European football league.
Messi takes a free kick during a Spanish league match against Atlético Madrid in 2011. During the 2011-12 season, Messi scored 73 goals, setting the all-time record for most goals scored in a season for a major European football league.
David Ramos/Getty Images
Messi, left, stands next to Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo during a match in Madrid in March 2014. The two superstars faced each other many times over the years, both on the field and off the field as they competed for awards.
Messi, left, stands next to Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo during a match in Madrid in March 2014. The two superstars faced each other many times over the years, both on the field and off the field as they competed for awards.
Dani Pozo/AFP/Getty Images
Messi walks with Argentina teammates after losing the World Cup final to Germany in July 2014. Messi won the Golden Ball award that is given to the tournament's top player.
Messi walks with Argentina teammates after losing the World Cup final to Germany in July 2014. Messi won the Golden Ball award that is given to the tournament's top player.
Hassan Ammar/AP
Messi scores a goal during a Spanish league match against Sevilla in November 2014. He had a hat trick and became the league's all-time leading goalscorer with 253 goals.
Messi scores a goal during a Spanish league match against Sevilla in November 2014. He had a hat trick and became the league's all-time leading goalscorer with 253 goals.
David Ramos/Getty Images
Messi takes the microphone from Ronaldo after they were selected for the FIFA World XI in 2015.
Messi takes the microphone from Ronaldo after they were selected for the FIFA World XI in 2015.
Mike Hewitt/FIFA/Getty Images
Messi leaves a courthouse in Barcelona in June 2016. A Barcelona court fined Messi €2 million ($2.3 million) and <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2016/07/06/football/lionel-messi-tax-guilty-sentence-21-months/index.html" target="_blank">sentenced him to 21 months in prison for tax fraud.</a> But because it was his first offense and his sentence was less than two years, he wouldn't serve any jail time. In July 2017, the Spanish courts reduced Messi's prison sentence to an additional fine of €252,000 ($287,000).
Messi leaves a courthouse in Barcelona in June 2016. A Barcelona court fined Messi €2 million ($2.3 million) and sentenced him to 21 months in prison for tax fraud. But because it was his first offense and his sentence was less than two years, he wouldn't serve any jail time. In July 2017, the Spanish courts reduced Messi's prison sentence to an additional fine of €252,000 ($287,000).
Albert Gea/Reuters
Messi collapses to the ground after missing in the penalty shootout that decided the Copa América final in June 2016. After the loss to Chile, Messi said he would probably retire from international soccer. He did not.
Messi collapses to the ground after missing in the penalty shootout that decided the Copa América final in June 2016. After the loss to Chile, Messi said he would probably retire from international soccer. He did not.
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Messi celebrates with Barcelona teammates after winning the Spanish Super Cup in August 2016.
Messi celebrates with Barcelona teammates after winning the Spanish Super Cup in August 2016.
Manu Fernandez/AP
Messi married Antonella Roccuzzo in Rosario in 2017. They have three sons together: Thiago, Mateo and Ciro.
Messi married Antonella Roccuzzo in Rosario in 2017. They have three sons together: Thiago, Mateo and Ciro.
Victor R. Caivano/AP
Messi collects his sixth Ballon d'Or award in 2019. He added a seventh in 2021.
Messi collects his sixth Ballon d'Or award in 2019. He added a seventh in 2021.
Franck Fife/AFP/Getty Images
Messi arrives for a Barcelona training session in September 2020. It was his first time back since a failed attempt to leave the club that summer.
Messi arrives for a Barcelona training session in September 2020. It was his first time back since a failed attempt to leave the club that summer.
Lluis Gene/AFP/Getty Images
After years of heartbreak with Argentina, Messi finally won a major international trophy when he captained the Albiceleste to a Copa América title in July 2021. It was Argentina's first major title in 28 years.
After years of heartbreak with Argentina, Messi finally won a major international trophy when he captained the Albiceleste to a Copa América title in July 2021. It was Argentina's first major title in 28 years.
Bruna Prado/AP
Messi bids a tearful farewell to Barcelona after it was announced in August 2021 that he would be leaving the club after more than 20 years. Messi won 10 league titles and four Champions League titles with Barcelona.
Messi bids a tearful farewell to Barcelona after it was announced in August 2021 that he would be leaving the club after more than 20 years. Messi won 10 league titles and four Champions League titles with Barcelona.
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Messi is unveiled with his new club, Paris Saint-Germain, in August 2021.
Messi is unveiled with his new club, Paris Saint-Germain, in August 2021.
Paris Saint-Germain Football/PSG/Getty Images
Messi celebrates after scoring during Argentina's shootout victory over the Netherlands in the World Cup quarterfinals in December 2022.
Messi celebrates after scoring during Argentina's shootout victory over the Netherlands in the World Cup quarterfinals in December 2022.
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Messi and teammates celebrate after winning the World Cup final in a penalty shootout in December 2022.
Messi and teammates celebrate after winning the World Cup final in a penalty shootout in December 2022.
Kai Pfaffenbach/Reuters
Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after Argentina defeated France in the 2022 final. Messi is holding the Golden Ball trophy, which is awarded to the tournament's best player.
Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after Argentina defeated France in the 2022 final. Messi is holding the Golden Ball trophy, which is awarded to the tournament's best player.
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Messi lifts the World Cup trophy.
Messi lifts the World Cup trophy.
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