Lionel Messi is bullied by mother Celia after Argentina’s impressive World Cup final win

In the moments after Argentina won the most gripping World Cup final in history, Lionel Messi found himself hemmed on the pitch by his jubilant mother after the striker finally lifted the only trophy he eluded in his career.

Celia Maria Cuccittini was caught on camera in her Argentinian shirt, rushing towards her son and fighting back tears. Messi looked the other way as she walked towards him and the emotional moment she surprised him when he saw her as a world champion for the first time was caught on camera.

Messi scored twice in the game and once more from the penalty spot as Argentina drew 3-3 with France after extra time before winning 4-2 on penalties. Messi’s Paris Saint-Germain club-mate Kylian Mbappe scored a hat-trick for France but was still on the losing side.

In the moments between the end of the game and the cup lift, Messi’s children also made it onto the pitch. He has three sons – Thiago, Mateo and Ciro – with his childhood sweetheart Antonella Roccuzzo.

Lionel Messi’s mother Celia stepped onto the pitch to celebrate with him in Qatar on Sunday after Argentina’s sensational World Cup win over France

Messi celebrated with close family in the moments leading up to getting his hands on the trophy

Celia (right) watches her son from the stands during the most dramatic World Cup final ever – Argentina would eventually defeat France on penalties

Argentina led the final twice but France fought back both times to win the match on penalties before Messi and his team eventually emerged victorious

The emotional scenes took place after the most dramatic World Cup final ever. Messi scored a penalty to put Argentina ahead in the first half before Angel di Maria doubled the lead with a phenomenal pass.

Argentina looked set for glory for most of the second half, but an 80th-minute penalty for Mbappe got France back into action.

Mbappe then equalized a minute later with a stunning shot of his own to send the game into overtime and the whole swing felt like it had left Messi and Argentina.

But Messi had another moment to strike, scoring from close range in the 108th minute. For the second time, Argentina looked mere moments from victory, but France struck back again.

Mbappe converted again from the penalty spot after a handball to bring the game to penalties.

Messi and Mbappe both scored their penalties but Kingsley Coman and Aurelian Tchouameni both missed for France as Argentina won 4-2 via penalty.

Messi and his wife Antonella take a selfie on the pitch after Argentina won the World Cup

Messi’s family made it onto the pitch to celebrate moments after the incredible win

Messi finally won the one trophy that eluded him with a dramatic penalty shoot-out win

For Messi and his family, it’s the one crucial trophy that has been missing from his incredible career.

Now, in the eyes of many, it’s finally silencing the debate over Messi being the greatest footballer of all time – putting him ahead of Pele, Diego Maradona and modern-day rival Cristiano Ronaldo.

Messi met his wife Antonella when he was just five years old – she is the cousin of one of his childhood friends – in La Rosario, Argentina.

Messi left his home country aged just 13 to join Barcelona’s prestigious youth academy La Masia, where he honed the skills that have made him one of the all-time greats.

He and Antonella married in 2017 in their hometown, which is around 200 miles from Buenos Aires.

Messi as he is besieged by friends and family at the epic celebrations after a thrilling game

With the victory, 35-year-old Messi finally clinches the world title in his incredible career

Messi celebrates in front of euphoric Argentina fans after finally lifting the trophy

What comes next for Messi and his family remains to be seen. He has been heavily linked with a move to the United States next summer, with David Beckham’s Inter Miami keen on bringing him to Major League Soccer.

His current contract with French side Paris Saint-Germain expires at the end of the 2022/23 club season, but he has the option to extend it for another year.

He is not expected to retire from international football following Sunday’s win. It was thought that at 35, Messi would have to exercise more caution in the face of the demands of an ever-expanding football calendar.

It could have meant him ending up top of the game for Argentina with 98 goals in 172 games and the biggest trophy of them all in his hands. But he has told reporters that he wants to play for Argentina as a world champion.