Lionel Scaloni has expressed his pride after leading Argentina to glory at the 2022 World Cup and believes that the nation deserve to enjoy their success after going through "thick and thin" in previous tournaments.
La Albiceleste were crowned world champions for the third time in their history and for the first time since 1986 after they beat holders France on penalties following a thrilling 3-3 draw in 120 minutes.
Scaloni, who was an assistant coach during Argentina's World Cup campaign in 2018, was the youngest manager at this year's tournament in Qatar and the 44-year-old has become the youngest coach to win the World Cup since compatriot Cesar Luis Menotti (39-year-old) in 1978.
Scaloni is now keen to enjoy the "historic moment" and has also spoken about how his parents have motivated him throughout his career.
"I'm proud. I'm less excited than other days but today I'm free. This team only makes me proud, it's all theirs," Scaloni told afa.com. "I want to tell people to enjoy because this is a historic moment.
"It's a time to enjoy. We're used to being hit, that's why we know how to be through thick and thin. Being at the top is something unique, an incredible enjoyment.
"My dad and my mum taught me never to give up, not to go against anyone and always push forward. I was lucky to be here and I am grateful."
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Argentina talisman and captain Lionel Messi finally has his hands on the one trophy that eluded him for so long during his remarkable career, and the 35-year-old – who scored a brace in the final and won the 2022 Golden Ball award – has thanked a higher power for his success in the showpiece event.
"It's crazy that it happened the way it did, it's impressive. It's impressive that it could end this way," said the Paris Saint-Germain star. "I knew that God was going to give it to me, I had a presentiment that it was going to be this.
"Look what this cup is, it's beautiful. I really wanted that. We suffered a lot but we got it. We can't wait to be in Argentina to see how crazy that is going to be.
"I wanted to close my career with this, I can't ask for anything else anymore. These are the last years of my career, and finishing like this is impressive. I was able to get the Copa America, the World Cup, I had fought a lot for this."
Messi also revealed that he has no immediate plans to retire from international football, adding: "No, I'm not going to retire from the national team. I want to keep playing as World Cup champions with Argentina shirt."
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Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who saved a penalty in Argentina's 4-2 shootout triumph over France, is the first Aston Villa player to play in the World Cup final and he has dedicated his success to his family.
"I did my thing, what I dreamed of. There could not have been a World Cup that I have dreamed of as much as this one," said the 2022 Golden Glove winner. "I lived through the penalties calmly. Another time they kicked me three times and they scored three goals. But afterwards I did everything right.
"I came from a very humble place and as a young man I went to England. I want to dedicate this to my family."
Martinez and Messi were not the only Argentina stars to come away with individual accolades, as 21-year-old Enzo Fernandez was named Young Player of the Tournament after emerging as one of the breakout starts of this year's World Cup.
"I still can't find the words. It's a moment that I will never erase in my life. Having the chance to win the World Cup with my country is priceless," the Benfica man said. "Everything happened so fast that today it's hard for me to enjoy it."
Fernandez has also labelled his "idol" Messi as the "best player of all time", joining Scaloni and many others to dub the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner as the greatest to have ever graced the beautiful game.
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Another rising star within the Argentina ranks has been Alexis Mac Allister, who became the first Brighton & Hove Albion player to feature in a World Cup final and the midfielder excelled against France, providing an assist for Argentina's second goal in normal time scored by Angel di Maria.
Mac Allister has admitted he has tears of joy streaming down his face as soon as Gonzalo Montiel netted the winning penalty kick, telling reporters: "As soon as the game ended, tears came to my eyes. It's all happiness. The most important thing is to be able to share it with the people who have always accompanied us.
"This tournament is very important to me, it will mark a before and after. This makes me remember all the years we fought to get here, what was the path of each one.
"The truth is that I felt very comfortable on the pitch with the help of my teammates and the coaching staff."
Meanwhile, fellow midfielders Rodrigo De Paul and Leandro Paredes, of Atletico Madrid and Juventus respectively, have expressed their disbelief of winning their maiden World Cup and Argentina's first for 36 years.
"This is a joy that I cannot explain," said De Paul. "I am proud to have been born in this country. Today we leave it on top of the world.
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"I think we are fair winners, to be champions you have to beat the last champion and we did it. Surely this was the most incredible final ever. We are eternal! For the rest of our lives we will belong to that select group that raised the cup."
Paredes added: "There are no words for this. Not even in my best dream did we think this. You have to enjoy."
"I thought of all my family, all the way we have travelled, my wife, my parents, those who encourage heaven, the boys who accompanied us throughout the cycle and could not be there today. All this is for them."
Paredes has also called for Messi to continue playing with the national team, saying: "Now Leo (Messi) has to stay more than ever, enjoy all this. May he stay with us for a long time."
Roma forward Paulo Dybala had a peripheral role with Argentina in Qatar, featuring for just 39 minutes across three substitute appearances, but he came on in the final to score a crucial penalty kick and he has revealed that he was mentally prepared to convert from 12 yards.
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"I think of Cordoba, of everything. Going in cold like that was not easy, but my head was very well," said the 29-year-old. "The feeling we have now we will never have again.
"I thank all Argentines for everything they did this month, the support was unconditional. We said we were not going to let them down and we didn't."
Lautaro Martinez also came off the bench in extra time and although the Inter Milan striker is pleased to have won the World Cup, he has expressed his disappointment for not performing at the level he had hoped to in Qatar.
"Personally, I am a little sad for not having been able to have the World Cup that I wanted, but happy for what we have achieved," the 25-year-old striker said after failing to score in five appearances at this year's tournament.
"When the Copa America ended, I said that we were going to go for more and today I think we have remained in the history of this country. This is crazy. I'm really very happy and grateful to my teammates."
Lyon's Nicolas Tagliafico, who started at left-back in the final, added: "If you don't suffer, it's not worth it, today you had to suffer a little more.
"The first half was very good. In the second we made our mistakes, but we knew how to move forward. We are Argentines and we can always move things forward. I dedicate it to all Argentines and to all the people who supported all this."
Argentina will look to defend their world title in four years' time when they head to North America, where Canada, Mexico and the United States will be hosting the 2026 World Cup.
Oliver Thomas
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