World Cup 2022: Pele Sends Heartfelt Message to Messi and Mbappe

• Legendary Brazilian footballer Pele paid warm compliments to Messi and Mbappe
• Pele believes Messi deserves to have won the 2022 World Cup with his country
• The three-time world champion also reserved some praises for his friend Mbappe

Brazil football icon Pele sent a touching message to Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe on the back of a dramatic World Cup final.

The 2022 FIFA World Cup came to a conclusion in the most Hollywood-esque style, with Argentina triumphing over France on penalty shootouts after a gruelling six-goal thriller across 120 minutes.

Messi outlasted his Paris Saint-Germain teammate to win the most coveted prize in international football - cementing his legacy as one of, if not the greatest, footballers to have ever touched the round object, per Football London.

Following the end of the game, tributes flooded in for the Argentina captain following his crowning moment, as well as consolatory messages for Mbappe's virtuoso performance.

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Joining the bandwagon, the legendary Pele, who won three World Cup titles with Brazil, sent a heartfelt message to the Argentine talisman.

"Today, football continues to tell its story, as always, in an enthralling way. Messi winning his first World Cup, as his trajectory deserved," Pele wrote on Instagram via Daily Mail.

The Brazilian legend, who has been watching the World Cup from the hospital as he is treated for a respiratory infection, also applauded the efforts of Mbappe, who bagged a hat-trick in the final.

"My dear friend, Mbappé, scoring four goals in a final. What a gift it was to watch this spectacle to the future of our sport."

Aside from Messi and Argentina's fairy tale World Cup run, Morocco also experienced their own version of a dream campaign, becoming the first African nation to reach the last four.

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"I couldn't fail to congratulate Morocco for the incredible campaign. It's great to see Africa shine."

The 82-year-old further admitted that his friend and Argentina legend Diego Maradona would have been happy with the outcome of the 2022 World Cup final.

"Congratulations Argentina! Certainly, Diego is smiling now."

Neymar salutes Messi

Brazil star Neymar took to his social media accounts to congratulate his longtime friend Messi, following Argentina's World Cup win in Qatar.

Messi led his side to their first Mundial trophy since 1986 with an entertaining game at the Lusail Stadium.

Neymar congratulated the veteran striker with a short message of 'Congrats Brother', but fans were quick to note that he did not write a condoling message for fellow teammate Mbappe.