Messi magic reduces HK fans to tears

Jane Cheung and agencies

Lionel Messi fans in Hong Kong burst into tears of joy, while others wearing the football king's jersey were seen on their knees when the Argentina team leader achieved his dream and won the Qatar World Cup after a thrilling match against France.

Although the final began at 11pm Hong Kong time on Sunday and ended about 2am yesterday after a 120-minute game and penalty shootout, local football fans watched the game overnight.

Thousands joined others in shopping malls and watched the livestream there.

Fans were in jerseys of Argentine and French teams and waving the countries' flags as they screamed and cried during the thrilling game, in which Argentina led 2-0 for the first 80 minutes - from Messi's penalty shot and Angel Di Maria's goal with Messi's help.

But France's Kylian Mbappe scored twice in less than two minutes to equalize the match, which was watched by an 89,000 crowd in Lusail Stadium.

Messi seemed to have decided the match in extra time with his second goal of the game.

Then his Paris Saint-Germain teammate Mbappe completed only the second World Cup final hat-trick to bring the score to 3-3 and force penalties.

Gonzalo Montiel swept home the decisive spot kick to win the shootout 4-2 for Argentina - but this was Messi's moment.

At shopping mall Olympian City, crowds roared and broke into tears when Messi led his team to victory, including some who were not even supporters of Argentina.

A fan in Messi's No 10 jersey fell on his knees and threw his arms in the air as he burst into tears.

He said the game was a thrilling roller coaster ride but he was beyond joy at seeing the "mighty Messi's happy ending."

"I can't breathe. I was there when he lost the final eight years ago. But Argentina is at the top of the world today. We have finally won," he said.

A female fan said: "Messi is not just a brilliant player, but he is a great team leader, taking his teammates step by step to victory. He deserves much of the credit. This is his moment."

Messi had tasted bitter defeat in the 2014 final against Germany but in his fifth and likely final World Cup, the 35-year-old finally emulated Argentina idol Diego Maradona by leading his nation to World Cup glory for the first time since Maradona's victory in Mexico City in 1986.

Tens of thousands of blue and white-shirted Argentina fans rose to salute Messi as he told them "we're champions of the world!" on the stadium microphone.

Later he told Argentine television: "Obviously I wanted to finish my career with this. I can't ask for any more.

"My career is coming to end because these are my final years. What more could there be after this?"

But Messi said he would continue with the Argentina squad.

In Argentina, millions of people yesterday waited to welcome home Messi, his teammates and the World Cup trophy.

Overseas estimations found more than 3.7 billion people around the world watched the livestream, 50 million more than 3.65 billion in the Russia World Cup final in 2018.

Back in Hong Kong, police arrested a 30-year-old jobless man, surnamed Ng, in Hung Hom on Sunday for promoting illegal football gambling and taking bets.

Officers found records of bets amounting HK$2 million. They also seized jewelry and watches worth HK$1.5 million, a HK$1 million private car and HK$40,000 cash in Ng's possession.

He remained detained in a police station last night.