Lionel Messi Celebrates Six Month Anniversary of Argentina’s World Cup Victory

• Lionel Messi has reflected on Argentina's route to the 2022 FIFA World Cup title
• He has celebrated the six-month anniversary of La Albiceleste's victory in Qatar
• Messi captained Argentina to their first World Cup since 1986 in the Middle East

Lionel Messi has taken to Instagram to celebrate the six-month anniversary of Argentina's 2022 FIFA World Cup win.

After edging out a dogged France side on penalties, La Abiceleste won the World Cup for the third time in the nation's history - and the first one of Messi's glittering career.

Until Argentina’s triumph, the World Cup remained the one trophy that evaded the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner.

According to stats courtesy of Sports Illustrated, Messi bagged seven goals and three assists in eight games and was handed the Golden Ball for his performances in Qatar.

It has been six months since the former Barcelona forward got his hands on the World Cup trophy. The 35-year-old took time to reminisce about this win with a post on his Instagram.

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Messi's World Cup top moments

He posted a collection of snaps of his journey with Argentina in Qatar en route to becoming a world champion. He posted, translated as follows:

"It's been half a year since we raised the prettiest of all 6 months in which I couldn't stop thinking about everything we lived through, how much we fought for it and how we still enjoy it today."

Admitting it was impossible to summarise the World Cup in images, as there would be so many they would not fit in an album, he instead chose notable moments from the journey.

"But coinciding with 6 months, I wanted to share some moments that come to my mind many times and make me very happy to remember how and when they occurred."

Argentina's journey to victory

Messi and Argentina started their glorious campaign in Qatar with a shock 2-1 defeat to Saudi Arabia in Group C. However, they bounced back by beating Mexico 2-0 and Poland 2-0 to win their group.

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La Albicleste then saw off a brave Australian side in the last 16 with a 2-1 win. However, it wasn't until the quarter-finals that many felt the pieces were coming together for a legacy-defining moment.

Lionel Scaloni's men played out to a memorable 2-2 regulation time draw with the Netherlands in the quarter-final, with a tense and volatile match seeing Argentina progressed 4-3 after a shootout.

Messi and his teammates then put themselves on the brink of World Cup glory after confidently dispatching Croatia 3-0 in the semi-finals, setting up a date with the champions, France, in the final.

As published by Fox Sports, the 2022 World Cup final remains one the greatest in history and it was the perfect way for Messi to win the prestigious trophy. He scored a brace in a frenetic 3-3 regulation time draw before his side won a dramatic penalty shootout 4-2.

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Messi's previous World Cup disappointments

The Qatar 2022 World Cup triumph for Argentina could be seen as even more significant for Messi given his previous escapades at the global football showcase.

For years, he was haunted by the 2014 exit to Germany and a shambolic showing in Russia which saw his country eliminated in the round of 16 by eventual winners, France.

For many across the football sphere, Messi getting revenge against Les Bleus on the biggest stage of them all - in the matter in which they did - was definitely written in the stars.

Messi, Busquets reuniting in MLS?

Earlier, Sports Brief also reported on Barcelona legend, Sergio Busquets possibly joining the MLS and reuniting with his former teammate, Messi.

Recent reports have claimed Inter Miami are nearing an agreement with the midfielder, which could see him join the Argentine in the United States.