Argentine journalist Sofia Martinez paid tribute to Lionel Messi during an interview after Argentina’s semi-final win against Croatia in the FIFA World Cup 2022 semi-final at Lusail Stadium on Tuesday.

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Watch the video here:

“I just want to tell you that no matter the results, there’s something that no one can take from you, and it’s the fact that you resonated with Argentinians, every single one,” Martinez tells Messi in the tribute. 

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She adds: “There’s no kid who doesn’t have your team shirt, no matter if it’s fake, real, or a made-up one. Truly, you made your mark in everyone’s life. And that, to me, is beyond winning any World Cup.”

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“No one can take that from you, and this is my gratitude. For such amount of happiness, you bring to a lot of people.”

After the win on Tuesday, Messi and co reached the final of the FIFA World Cup 2022 which will be played on Sunday, December 18. They will take on either Morocco or France in the match. 

Messi came up with a performance to remember against Croatia scoring a goal and making a spectacular assist to Julian Alvarez by turning on Croat defender Josko Guvardiol. He is clearly in one of his best World Cup runs and nothing seems to bother his stride. 

The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner reached the final of the World Cup in 2014 but lost to Germany, thanks to a goal by Mario Goetze in extra-time.

However, this time, he will surely want to take the trophy home.