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Emotional Lionel Messi celebrates World Cup final win with wife Antonela and children after incredible clash

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LIONEL MESSI celebrated his emotional World Cup win with his wife and their children on the Lusail Stadium pitch.

The Argentine captain scored twice and then converted his penalty in the shootout as he finally got his hands on the famous trophy.

Lionel Messi celebrated winning the World Cup with his family
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Lionel Messi celebrated winning the World Cup with his familyCredit: //www.instagram.com/antonelaroccuzzo/
The wider Messi family and friends joined in too
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The wider Messi family and friends joined in tooCredit: Reuters
He posed for photos with his adoring wife Antonela Roccuzzo
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He posed for photos with his adoring wife Antonela RoccuzzoCredit: //www.instagram.com/antonelaroccuzzo/
Messi enjoyed a special moment with his mother Celia Maria Cuccittini
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Messi enjoyed a special moment with his mother Celia Maria CuccittiniCredit: EPA
Antonela at long last managed to get her hands on the iconic trophy
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Antonela at long last managed to get her hands on the iconic trophyCredit: Getty
Messi took a photo of his wife lifting the World Cup
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Messi took a photo of his wife lifting the World CupCredit: AP
Messi was smothered by his boys on the stage in the middle of the pitch
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Messi was smothered by his boys on the stage in the middle of the pitchCredit: Reuters
Two of the boys got a cheeky kiss on the trophy
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Two of the boys got a cheeky kiss on the trophyCredit: //www.instagram.com/antonelaroccuzzo/

But after collecting the Golden Ball for the best player at Qatar 2022 and then lifting the trophy with his team-mates, Messi took time to soak in the moment with his nearest and dearest.

Wife Antonela Roccuzzo and their sons Thiago, ten, Mateo, seven and Ciro, four, as well as his parents and extended family all joined him on the pitch - many of them wearing replica away shirts with his name on the back.

The lads took turns to hold the Golden Ball trophy and their dad's World Cup winner's medal.

And Antonela, who seemed to wipe away tears of joy, even got her hands on the main piece of silverware, giving it a kiss and raising it aloft - before the boys did the same.

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The family posed for selfies and photos together while Messi embraced and kissed his wife who went through the whole range of emotions in the stands during the thrilling clash.

She was on her feet cheering on her man after he stuck away his 23rd-minute penalty to open the scoring.

It was all going smoothly with Argentina 2-0 up with nine minutes to go but Kylian Mbappe's quickfire double forced extra-time before the PSG team-mates both scored to send it to penalties.

Kingsley Coman and Aurelian Tchouameni missed their spot-kicks before Gonzalo Montiel sealed the victory for Argentina.

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Messi took to Instagram a few hours after recreating Diego Maradona's iconic celebration to express his sheer delight.

The GOAT wrote: "CHAMPIONS OF THE WORLD!!!!!!!

"So many times I dreamed it, so much I wanted it that I still don't fall, I can't believe it……

"Thank you so much to my family, to all who support me and also to all who believed in us.

"We proved once again that Argentinians when we fight together and united we are able to achieve what we aim.

"The merit is of this group, which is above individuals, is the strength of all fighting for the same dream that was also the one of all Argentinians…

Messi appeared emotional after sealing another piece of history
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Messi appeared emotional after sealing another piece of historyCredit: Getty
They posed for selfies or possibly a video call
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They posed for selfies or possibly a video callCredit: Getty
Antonela gives her husband a kiss after his fine performance
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Antonela gives her husband a kiss after his fine performanceCredit: AP

"We did it!!! LET'S GO ARGENTINA!!!!! We're seeing each other very soon…"

Antonela also took to , sharing some adorable family photos that will make up quite the album when the celebrations eventually settle.

One showed the five smiling together, there was another of the two younger sons kissing the World Cup and one with Thiago holding a piece of the net.

She captioned the post: "WORLD CHAMPIONS!

"I don't even know how to start.. pride greater that we feel for you @leomessi.

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"Thank you for teaching us to never give up, you have to fight to the end FINALLY WORLD CHAMPION.

"We know what you suffered so many years to get what you wanted to get! LET'S GO ARGENTINA!"

Antonela heaped praise on her hubby in a gushing Instagram post
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Antonela heaped praise on her hubby in a gushing Instagram postCredit: Getty
Antonela went through all the emotions during the final
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Antonela went through all the emotions during the finalCredit: //www.instagram.com/antonelaroccuzzo/
Antonela could not quite believe what had happened
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Antonela could not quite believe what had happenedCredit: Reuters
There were plenty of special moments for the Messi family
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There were plenty of special moments for the Messi familyCredit: Getty
The lads even managed to get a piece of the net
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The lads even managed to get a piece of the netCredit: //www.instagram.com/antonelaroccuzzo/
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