Lionel Messi says Maradona encouraged team from heaven

Havana, December 20 (RHC) -- ¨This Cup also belongs to Diego (Armando Maradona) who encouraged us from heaven,¨ assured today the captain of the Argentine national soccer team, Lionel Messi.

In a message posted on his profile on the social network Instagram, Messi said he always had "the dream of being World Champion and did not want to stop trying, even knowing that maybe it would never happen".

From Grandoli (his first club) to Qatar 22 almost 30 years passed. It was nearly three decades in which the ball gave me many joys and some sadness (...) This Cup also belongs to all those who did not achieve it in opportunities such as in 2014 in Brazil, where we deserved it even in that damn final, he said.

The captain of the Albiceleste thanked all those who always supported the national team "without looking so much at the result, but at the desire we put into it, even when things did not go our way".

He also acknowledged the effort "of this beautiful group that was formed, of the coaching staff and of all the people who work day and night to make it easier for us".

Failure is often part of the journey and of learning. Without disappointments it is impossible for success to come. Thank you very much from the bottom of my heart! Let's go Argentina! he concluded.

In addition to the text, Messi published a video that summarizes his career and love for soccer, from the beginning, when he dreamed of playing for the national team, to the triumph in Qatar.