What Messi Whispered to His Late Grandmother Before Argentina’s World Cup Winning Penalty

• Lionel Messi often celebrates after scoring by remembering his late grandmother Celia
• He looked to the sky and said a prayer just before Gonzalo Montiel's winning penalty
• The goal handed Messi his first global crown and Argentina its third World Cup crown

Lionel Messi looked up at the sky before whispering to his late grandmother, prior to Argentina winning the 2022 World Cup.

The veteran was a beacon of calm amid frequent outbreaks of pandemonium, in what has been described as the greatest World Cup final in history between Argentina and France.

At the Lusail Stadium, La Albiceleste twice squandered the lead, before eventually taking the title on penalties after the game finished 3-3 in extra time.

In the end, the greatest player of his generation - perhaps in the sport's history - bowed out with a victory as Argentina claimed a third World Cup crown.

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But before accomplishing his lifelong ambition, Messi sought divine intervention with a small prayer to his late grandmother, Celia.

What did Messi say?

Messi whispered 'Puede ser hoy, abu' - which translates to 'It could be today, Grandma', as quoted by GOAL.

His brief prayer to his grandmother might have aided Gonzalo Montiel in converting the penalty which took the South Americans to eternal glory.

Who is Messi's late grandmother?

Celia Olivera Cuccittini was said to have played an important role in Messi's childhood, before she passed on in 1998.

According to Sportsmanor, it was Celia who convinced a local coach to allow Messi to play against older children in his youth, despite his short stature.

Why Messi wears a ribbon

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Messi has a very interesting link with a red ribbon, which he often wears in matches or gives out to his teammate.

The ribbon was spotted as he celebrated his latest success, and perhaps the biggest of them all, in Argentina's dressing room after winning the World Cup on December 18.

A journalist once hilariously stated his mother loved Messi more than she loved him, adding that she once asked Messi if he would wear the ribbon as a token of good luck.

Messi's room converted to museum

Sports Brief earlier reported that while the veteran is still relishing his latest achievement of winning the World Cup, the Qatar University has moved to immortalise the room he occupied.

Argentina set up camp at the educational institute in Doha for the duration of their time in the country, up until the team left as World Cup champions.

The Qatari university has now announced that the room Messi spent his nights in will be converted into a mini-museum.