Pele congratulates Lionel Messi on World Cup triumph, calls Kylian Mbappe ‘my dear friend’

Brazilian football legend Pele, who is currently recuperating after falling sick during the FIFA World Cup, has wished Lionel Messi on the latter’s FIFA World Cup triumph with Argentina. Pele, who himself lifted the coveted trophy on three separate occasions- 1958, 1962, and 1970, said about Argentina’s triumph, “Today, football continues to tell its story, as always, in an enthralling way”.

He further added, “Messi winning his first World Cup, as his trajectory deserved”. Lionel Messi was long acknowledged to be the true successor of Pele and Diego Maradona as one of the all-time greats in football. After having won everything there is in club football, and clinching the Copa America title in 2021, Messi only had the World Cup left to complete his collection of silverware.

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Pele also had a special message for Kylian Mbappe. They are the only two players to score in a World Cup final as teenagers.

The Brazilian legend said regarding the French superstar, “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.”

He also had a thought to spare for the Moroccan national team, who became the first African team in World Cup history to qualify for the semi-finals. Pele said about Achraf Hakimi and co., “And I couldn’t fail to congratulate Morocco for the incredible campaign. It’s great to see Africa shine.”

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The last part of his message was kept aside for his dear friend Diego Maradona. The two of them have always been pitted against each other, but neither lost the love for the other legend. Pele said, “Congratulations Argentina! Certainly Diego is smiling now.”

Latest reports about the legendary footballer suggest that his health has been improving. However, the 82-year-old, who was hospitalised on November 29, has not been released yet.