Lionel Messi: “Diego Maradona encouraged Argentina from heaven!”

After 36 years,

won the World Cup trophy for the third time on Sunday after beating France in the penalty shoot-out 4-2, with

being essential to the triumph. After the parade with the trophy in Argentina, Lionel Messi released a message on Instagram, stating late

encouraged La Albiceleste from heaven.

The 7-time Ballon d’Or winner wrote:

"I always dreamed of being a world champion and I didn't want to stop trying, even knowing that maybe I would never give up.

"This cup we got is also from all those who did not make it in the previous World Cups we played, like in 2014 in Brazil, where they all deserved it for how they fought until the same final, worked hard and wanted it as much as I did.

"It's also from Diego who encouraged us from heaven.

"And of all those who spent the time always supporting the national team without looking so much at the result but the desire we always put into it, also when things didn't go as we wanted.

"Many times failure is part of the journey and learning and without the disappointments it is impossible for success to come.

"Thank you very much from my heart! Let's go Argentina!!!"

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