Lionel Messi Sleeps With World Cup Trophy After Win

Lionel Messi is going to need some prizing from the World Cup trophy now that he has his hands on it.

The 35-year-old Argentine soccer superstar achieved one of his career goals on Sunday when he helped his nation beat France in the championship match, 4-2 on penalties, after the game finished 3-3 with Messi scoring twice.

The win ended a 36-year wait for Argentines to say they are World Cup winners and capped an illustrious career for Messi in which he has won pretty much everything he can and is set to become the most decorated player in the history of the game.

Now he is not letting the World Cup trophy out of his sight, and Messi posted a photo of him lying in bed with it, his arm wrapped around it as he seemingly sleeps.

The team returned to Buenos Aires after its triumph in Qatar, to join the wild celebrations in the capital, with the Argentine government declaring a bank holiday as the soccer heroes arrive back.

Thousands lined the streets of the capital city as the players and staff enjoyed an open top bus tour through the mass of supporters, all despite their plane not landing until 2 a.m. local time.

Messi also shared pictures of him in bed with the trophy with it cuddled up next to him, along with the caption: "Good morning."

His wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, might be wondering if the trophy will be a permanent bed partner over the next four years now that Argentina has its hands on it.

While Messi is often hailed as soccer's G.O.A.T. (greatest of all time), there could be an element of superstition that has helped him achieve his goals.

Four years ago, at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, an Argentine reporter gave Messi a red ribbon as the team struggled to make it through the group stage.

He said to Messi: "My mum loves you more than she loves me, I carry her red ribbon for good luck. If you want it, I can give it to you."

Messi replied: "Yeah, sure!"

The reporter replied: "It's from my mum so please keep it safe."

A few days later, Messi scored his first goal of the 2018 World Cup during a victory over Nigeria in St. Petersburg, Russia, and after the game he spoke to the same reporter.

The reporter asked Messi: "I don't know if you remember, but my mum gave you a ribbon."

Messi replied triumphantly: "Look at this."

He showed the reporter that he had the red ribbon tied around his ankle and since that moment, it has always been with him or with one of his teammates, whom Messi believes needs the luck the ribbon brings.

The latest recipient of the red ribbon was Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who tied the lucky charm to himself just before the penalty shootout to decide the World Cup final against France.

Martinez then pulled off a huge save and his antics in goal were enough to distract the French and bring the trophy back to Argentina.

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