Qatar 2022: Lionel Messi in Moving Video Sharing High Fives With Starstruck Children

• The mascots of the 2022 FIFA World Cup quarterfinal between Argentina and the Netherlands were given something to smile about
• Albiceleste captain Lionel Messi took the opportunity to give a number of them high fives as he made his way to the front of the line
• The children were clearly awestruck and thrilled with this turn of events before everyone made their way out onto the pitch

A wholesome moment transpired before the 2022 FIFA World Cup quarterfinal between Argentina and the Netherlands.

The Albiceleste captain Lionel Messi gave high fives to just about every mascot waiting to escort both teams onto the Lusail Stadium on Friday night.

A video showed the children screaming out his name if they were not slack-jawed by the awesome gesture from the all-time great. He would then go on to score a penalty during the match and in the penalty shoot-out his team eventually won, booking a place in the semifinals.

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Lionel Messi slams referee after Argentina win on penalties

Lionel Messi said referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz should not have officiated Argentina's tempestuous shootout victory over the Netherlands in the World Cup quarter-finals at Lusail Stadium.

Argentina won on penalties early on Saturday after a dramatic 2-2 draw in which Dutch substitute Wout Weghorst scored twice late on, including a last-gasp equaliser from a short free-kick awarded when German Pezzella shoved over Weghorst.

"After they got the draw I felt a lot of anger," said Messi. "I don't want to talk about the referee, because they immediately reprimand you or sanction you, but I think people saw what happened."

Lionel Messi of Argentina fouled 65 times in World Cup matches

Argentina international Lionel Messi has now been fouled 65 times in World Cup matches beating the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar and Jairzinho on the list.

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The only player who has won a foul more than Messi in the history of the World Cup is the late Diego Maradona who is on 152.

This record set by Maradona is very huge and it may last for the rest of the world as it will be big for any player to break this.