Good things come to those who wait and a tweet from 2015 has gone viral, seven years after it was originally posted.
José Miguel Polanco predicted that Lionel Messi would lift the World Cup with Argentina and effectively be crowned the best ever soccer player.
On Sunday in Lusail, Qatar, the prediction came true and his tweet was widely shared on social media, getting over 328,000 likes along the way. Polanco, an ardent Argentina fan who has followed his team at six World Cups, was present to see his team beat France on penalties and claim the coveted trophy.
As the tournament progressed, there seemed to be a collective will for Messi to finish on a high, with him announcing after the semi-final win over Croatia that the final would be his last World Cup game for Argentina.
So there was joy unbounded when the soccer maestro got his hands on the trophy after years of disappointment at international level.
December 18, 2022. 34 year old Leo Messi will win the World Cup and become the greatest player of all times. Check back with me in 7 years.
— José Miguel Polanco (@josepolanco10) March 20, 2015
On March 20, 2015, Polanco tweeted: "December 18, 2022. 34 year old Leo Messi will win the World Cup and become the greatest player of all times. Check back with me in 7 years."
And in seven years' time, thousands checked in with him as his prophecy came true.
At the time, Argentina had lost in the previous World Cup final in 2014 to Germany but Polanco didn't think they would go all the way in 2018, when France scooped the crown.
Equally as impressive as getting the winners spot on for 2022, he also got the date of the final correct which was thought not to be widely known seven years ago, so many congratulated him on that foresight as well.
That was until many pointed out that FIFA had announced the date of the final some 24 hours before Polanco made his prediction.
Polanco then added a tweet in which he shared his joy at the prediction finally coming true.
He wrote: "It was given. I followed you to all parts of the world and at last we were able to taste eternal glory.
"You are not a love that hurts me, you are the love of my life. I am the happiest guy in the world, as well as the 45 million Argentines who have dreamed of this since we can remember."
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