PELE...football continues to tell its story, as always, in an enthralling way (Photo: AFP)
DOHA, Qatar (AFP) — Brazilian legend Pele said Lionel Messi "deserved" to be a World Cup winner after Argentina defeated France in a penalty shoot-out in Sunday's final.
"Today football continues to tell its story, as always, in an enthralling way. Messi winning his first World Cup, as his trajectory deserved," Pele, a three-time World Cup champion, wrote on Instagram.
Pele also hailed French striker Kylian Mbappe who scored a hat-trick in the final that had ended 3-3 after extra time, before coolly slotting in a penalty in the shoot-out.
"My dear friend, Mbappe, scoring four goals in a final. What a gift it was to watch this spectacle to the future of our sport."
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