'The trophy told me to come close and hold it': Leo Messi speaks for first time since World Cup triumph

Lionel Messi month later after the his World Cup triumph, the PSG star has reveal his emotions on one of the most special nights in his life.

"I saw the cup and couldn't resist it. It called me. It told me 'I'm here, come and hold now that you can do it'. I saw it shine in that beautiful stadium and didn't hesitate to come over and kiss it.

"It's difficult to explain what I felt in that moment [after the final whistle]. Many things were going through my head but at the same time nothing. I was just enjoying the moment. I told myself it was over, I'd done all I could dream about with Argentina.

"Winning it meant it was finally over. For me, for my family, after so much time and suffering. For so much time I'd suffered with the national team, lots of bad luck and finals lost.

"Many criticised me and my family felt it, too. I knew they suffered even though they tried to show otherwise. It hurt me. "And finally, to win the World Cup... it was like closing the cycle, this and winning Copa America."