Footage Shows Heartwarming Moment Everyone “Begged” Leo Messi to Dance in Argentina’s Homecoming Celebration

• Lionel Messi and his Argentina teammates played for the first time since becoming world champions
• He marked the occasion with a stunning freekick, taking his overall tally to 800 career goals for club and country
• The 35-year-old also appreciated the efforts of his past teammates and the crowd in fulfilling a lifelong dream

Lionel Messi turned down a passionate appeal from a fully packed crowd at the Monumental Stadium and his teammates to dance in Argentina's homecoming celebration.

The 35-year-old and his Argentina World Cup-winning mates were treated to a raucous welcome as they paraded the trophy in their first game since winning the Mundial last December.

Just as he delivered in Qatar to deliver La Albiceleste a third World Cup, Messi put up another mesmeric performance, including a sensational freekick to reach 800 career goals, per Hindustan Times.

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In conjunction with Thiago Almada's early strike, his goal ensured Lionel Scaloni's charges sealed a two-nil win over Panama in Buenos Aires.

Amid the fanfare and jamboree that followed the final whistle blast, the Paris Saint-Germain forward was asked to dance as the crowd serenaded the players with unbridled chants.

Messi, who is naturally introverted, waived the chance to dance despite several appeals made by his teammates and the excited crowd.

Here is the video:

Messi lifts World Cup again

The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner lifted the World Cup trophy once more in front of approximately 80,000 fans.

Messi took a slow victory lap with his teammates, who carried miniatures of the same trophy, as fireworks erupted over the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires.

He also delivered a touching speech after the game.: “I want to thank all of you for the affection we have been receiving. Not only for being world champions but also for the Copa America.

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"We had said that we were going to do everything we could for this," the ex-Barca star said, as quoted by Mundo Albiceleste.

Messi sheds tears at homecoming

Sports Brief also reported that Lionel Messi led Argentina in playing as World Champions for the very first time when they entertained Panama in an international friendly at the Monumental Stadium on Friday morning.

The players and Head Coach Lionel Scaloni paraded the trophy to a vibrant crowd right before the crowd.

The rapturous celebration left Messi and a couple of other stars like Emi Martinez in tears as they revelled in what they achieved in December.