On Monday, December 19, 2022, Brazilian legend Pele penned an emotional message after the final of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Pele, currently battling colon cancer in hospital, commended Argentina for finally winning the elusive trophy.
“Today, football continues to tell its story, as always, in an enthralling way. Messi won his first World Cup, as his trajectory deserved.
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“Congratulations Argentina! Certainly, Diego is smiling,” read part of his statement.
The 82-year-old also lauded French forward Kylian Mbappe for his superb performances and singled out Morocco for winning hearts with their brilliant football.
“My dear friend, Mbappe, scoring four goals in a final. It was a gift to watch this spectacle for the future of our sport.
“And I couldn’t fail to congratulate Morocco for the incredible campaign. It’s great to see Africa shine,” he stated.
Morocco, arguably the surprise team of the Qatar World Cup, reached the semifinal stage for the first time in their history.
The Walid Regragui charges also entered history books by becoming the only African nation to achieve that accomplishment.
In Qatar, the Atlas Lions humbled powerhouses Belgium, Portugal, and Canada.
Morocco also picked a draw against Croatia in a group-stage match before eliminating Spain in the quarterfinals.